Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Park City, UT: $53,349 (2026)
Quick Answer:New occupational therapy assistants entering the Park City, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $53,349 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Park City's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $54,382 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($67,954) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field of occupational therapy assistance in Park City, Utah, the starting occupational therapy assistant salary is projected at $53,349 in 2026. While this figure represents the lower end of the salary range, it still falls below the city median of $67,954, highlighting a significant gap for those just entering the profession. New COTAs can expect a growth trajectory in their salaries, potentially moving to an annual income of $60,870 within their first three to five years of experience as they gain skills and confidence. This market appears to be a sound option for recent graduates due to a favorable job growth rate of 2.81% annually and the community's general demand for healthcare professionals.
About the Park City Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Park City
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 Park City
Entry-level occupational therapy assistants in Park City, UT typically start between $53,349 and $60,870 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $28,910 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $67,954 — 8.58% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average occupational therapy program cost in Utah of $20,000 represents just 37.49% of the starting occupational therapy assistant pay ($53,349/year) in Park City. 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 Park City
- 1Research the Park City market: entry-level occupational therapy assistant pay ranges from $53,349 to $60,870, 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 Park City, 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 Park City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Park City'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 Park City is $28,910 ( 54.19%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $53,349, experienced hygienists can earn up to $82,259.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,055
2025 BLS Actual
$51,891
2026 Current Est.
$53,349
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Park City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,055 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,516 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,175 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,313 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,049 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,405 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,891 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,349 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,848 | Projected |
Entry-level occupational therapy assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Park City, UT grew 23.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $42,055 in 2019 to $51,891 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $54,848. New graduates entering the Park City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Park City 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 Park City
Several employers in Park City hire recently graduated occupational therapy assistants, with skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation firms being the top contenders. School districts also provide opportunities, particularly for those seeking a more balanced work-life schedule during summer vacations. While outpatient clinics typically prefer experienced COTAs, they may offer training for new graduates, especially in specialized fields such as pediatric care or hand therapy. To enhance starting pay, significant credentials include completion of an ACOTE-accredited associate’s degree, obtaining the COTA credential through the NBCOT exam, and securing a state OTA license. Given the 15% Medicare Part B cut for OTA-provided services that started in 2022, compensation in some settings may be affected, making it crucial for new graduates to be strategic in their early career choices and aim for settings that prioritize clinical mentorship and professional development. As COTAs work under the supervision of occupational therapists, establishing clinical competence in their first three years can lead to realistic salary increases, setting a robust foundation for future career advancement.
More salary data for Park City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for occupational therapy assistants in Park City in 2026?
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Is occupational therapy school worth it in Park City?
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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 Park City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Park City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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