Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in El Mirage, AZ: $70,989 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in El Mirage, AZ earns a median $70,989/year (≈ $34.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in El Mirage's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $72,070 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In El Mirage, Arizona, the 2026 projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant is $70,989, which shows a small decline compared to the national figure of $74,332. The salary range for this role spans from $49,408 at the 10th percentile to $87,287 at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant variability based on local employment settings. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data and BEA Regional Price Parities highlight the ongoing adjustment following the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that affected pay dynamics within skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient settings. The job market for occupational therapy assistants currently employs a modest eight professionals in the area, suggesting a niche but stable occupation that offers potential for growth as demand for therapy services increases.
About the El Mirage Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,408 | $23.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,303 | $30.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,989 | $34.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,943 | $37.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,287 | $41.97 |
Median Salary Position
4.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in El Mirage
In El Mirage, AZ, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,879 (2026 est.). At $70,989, the local median is 4.5% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in El Mirage: You'd be above the median
How El Mirage Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
El Mirage median: $70,989/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | El Mirage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $73,185 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -4.50% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in El Mirage, AZ earn a median of $70,989 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.50% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.00% below the Arizona state average of $73,185.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
El Mirage has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
El Mirage, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $70,989 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,070 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,744
2025 BLS Actual
$69,049
2026 Current Est.
$70,989
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in El Mirage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,744 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,954 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,361 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,997 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,852 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,049 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,989 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,984 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the El Mirage metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $58,744 (2019) to $69,049 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,984 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,240 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Mirage 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $49,408 – $63,303 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,303 – $70,989 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,989 – $77,943 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,943 – $87,287 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in El Mirage
When examining the occupational therapy assistant pay in El Mirage, AZ, the local cost of living index of 98.5 categorizes the area as slightly below the national average, which can impact take-home purchasing power. Among the available employment settings, hospital inpatient rehabilitation typically compensates at higher rates compared to other options such as school district contracts or home health agencies. The disparity in earnings within various settings can often be attributed to productivity expectations and the nature of the contracts, with hospital roles commanding a premium due to the higher intensity of care. To maximize earnings in El Mirage, occupational therapy assistants should consider pursuing positions that offer weekend or PRN premiums, as well as contracts that provide year-round employment rather than those limited to the school year. By treating their professional development seriously and possibly seeking COTA-to-MOT bridge opportunities, practitioners can enhance their skill set and leverage additional compensation avenues.
More salary data for El Mirage, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in El Mirage, AZ in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in El Mirage?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in El Mirage?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $69,049 for occupational therapy assistantsin the El Mirage metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for El Mirage 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