Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Ogden, UT: $43,890 (2026)
Quick Answer:New occupational therapy assistants entering the Ogden, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $43,890 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Ogden's local price level (BEA RPP 100.3 — 0% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $43,737 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($65,850) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Ogden, Utah, entry-level occupational therapy assistants can anticipate a starting salary of around $43,890 in 2026. This figure is substantially below the city’s median annual salary of $65,850, illustrating a clear gap that new graduates should be prepared for as they enter the workforce. Typically, entry-level pay will progress from this starting point toward approximately $53,687 at the 25th percentile within a few years, potentially reaching the median salary as COTAs gain experience and build their professional networks. Despite being lower than the national average of $74,332, Ogden still presents a viable market for new grads due to its 2.81% growth trajectory, suggesting steady demand for occupational therapy services, particularly in local healthcare facilities.
Career Earnings Timeline in Ogden
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ogden
Entry-level occupational therapy assistants in Ogden, UT typically start between $43,890 and $53,687 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $31,007 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $65,850 — 11.41% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average occupational therapy program cost in Utah of $20,000 represents just 45.57% of the starting occupational therapy assistant pay ($43,890/year) in Ogden. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACOTE-accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school settings.
OTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Ogden
- 1Research the Ogden market: entry-level occupational therapy assistant pay ranges from $43,890 to $53,687, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the occupational therapy field — employers in UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Ogden, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Ogden for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Ogden's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Compensation Range
The occupational therapy assistant wage spread in Ogden is $31,007 ( 70.65%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $43,890, experienced hygienists can earn up to $74,897.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,670
2025 BLS Actual
$42,690
2026 Current Est.
$43,890
2019–2027 Growth
+-5.3%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ogden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,890 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,123 | Projected |
Entry-level occupational therapy assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Ogden, UT grew -10.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $47,670 in 2019 to $42,690 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $45,123. New graduates entering the Ogden job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ogden metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your occupational therapy Career in Ogden
In Ogden, numerous employers are eager to welcome new graduates into the occupational therapy assistant field, primarily skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and rehabilitation centers, which tend to hire most fresh COTA graduates. School districts may also offer opportunities, often featuring advantageous summer-off schedules. Outpatient clinics might prefer seasoned professionals, yet many are willing to provide training for new grads in specialized areas like pediatric or hand therapy. To secure higher starting salaries, new graduates should complete an accredited associate’s program, obtain their COTA credential through the NBCOT, and pursue state licensing. With the 15% Medicare Part B cut impacting OTA services implemented in 2022, early-career COTAs will find that career advancement through continued education, perhaps eventually bridging to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), may be essential for increasing their earning potential in this evolving marketplace. Realistically, those in their first three years can expect gradual salary increases as they gain valuable experience and refine their skills.
More salary data for Ogden, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new occupational therapy graduates. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Ogden. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov