Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Arizona: $76,351 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arizona's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $76,351/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because Arizona sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $77,514 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Chandler ($76,613), Phoenix ($76,080), Mesa ($75,712).
In Arizona, the projected average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 is $76,351, which is notably higher than the national median of $74,332, reflecting a 2.7% increase compared to national averages. The salary between the highest paying city, Chandler, at $78,766, and the lowest, Sedona, at $68,734, shows a difference of $10,032. This gap is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, demand for services, and local economic conditions. Arizona's occupational therapy assistants must navigate specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which shape the professional landscape. The demand for these professionals is driven by an aging population and greater awareness of rehabilitation services, contributing to an expected annual growth rate of 2.81% for the profession. In terms of employment distribution, the top five cities for salaries in 2026 are Chandler ($78,766), Phoenix ($78,218), Mesa ($77,840), Scottsdale ($77,160), and Glendale ($76,889). With a total of 1,594 occupational therapy assistants employed in the state, the job market remains strong, positioning Arizona favorably for professionals seeking opportunities in this field.
Arizona Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arizona: $49,262 (lowest entry-level) to $100,602 (highest top earner)
Arizona vs National Average
Arizona occupational therapy assistants earn 2.72% more than the national median (+$2,019/year difference).
Arizona Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Arizona range from $58,736 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $93,659 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $76,351. The Arizona median is $2,019 above the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $36.71/hr. Approximately 1,594 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,711
2025 BLS Actual
$74,264
2026 Current Est.
$76,351
2019–2027 Growth
+17.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Arizona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,711 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,607 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,722 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,762 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,121 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,806 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,264 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,351 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,497 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arizona metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 11.3% from $66,711 (2019) to $74,264 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,497 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,786 (17.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arizona 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arizona
Lowest Paying Cities in Arizona
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sedona | $68,734 |
| Nogales | $68,970 |
| Oro Valley | $69,404 |
| Sierra Vista | $70,047 |
| Apache Junction | $70,591 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Arizona
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arizona cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler | $78,766 | 98.5 | $79,965 |
| Mesa | $77,840 | 98.5 | $79,025 |
| Scottsdale | $77,160 | 98.5 | $78,335 |
| Glendale | $76,889 | 98.5 | $78,060 |
| Gilbert | $75,073 | 98.5 | $76,216 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arizona
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $58,736 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $76,351 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $93,659 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arizona metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Arizona
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chandler | $78,766 |
| 2 | Phoenix | $78,218 |
| 3 | Mesa | $77,840 |
| 4 | Scottsdale | $77,160 |
| 5 | Glendale | $76,889 |
| 6 | Gilbert | $75,073 |
| 7 | Peoria | $74,828 |
| 8 | Maricopa | $74,215 |
| 9 | Avondale | $74,105 |
| 10 | Marana | $73,828 |
| 11 | Yuma | $73,775 |
| 12 | San Tan Valley | $73,613 |
| 13 | Tempe | $73,527 |
| 14 | Tucson | $73,489 |
| 15 | Surprise | $73,059 |
| 16 | Goodyear | $72,946 |
| 17 | Lake Havasu City | $72,656 |
| 18 | Queen Creek | $72,638 |
| 19 | Buckeye | $71,960 |
| 20 | Flagstaff | $71,479 |
| 21 | Florence | $71,472 |
| 22 | Casa Grande | $71,316 |
| 23 | Bullhead City | $71,308 |
| 24 | El Mirage | $70,989 |
| 25 | Kingman | $70,813 |
| 26 | Sahuarita | $70,683 |
| 27 | Prescott Valley | $70,672 |
| 28 | Prescott | $70,643 |
| 29 | Apache Junction | $70,591 |
| 30 | Sierra Vista | $70,047 |
| 31 | Oro Valley | $69,404 |
| 32 | Nogales | $68,970 |
| 33 | Sedona | $68,734 |
More Arizona Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Arizona cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Compare Cities in Arizona
View all comparisons →Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Arizona in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Arizona?
How does Arizona occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Arizona?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Arizona?
Which Arizona city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across Arizona. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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