Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Marana, AZ: $73,828 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Marana, AZ earns a median $73,828/year (≈ $35.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Marana's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $74,952 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Marana, AZ, is expected to reach a median of $73,828, slightly below the national median of $74,332. With a range from $52,006 at the 10th percentile to $88,812 at the 90th percentile, these figures highlight the varying compensation across different settings, particularly in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), school systems, and hospitals. Local estimates, formulated from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional costs, reveal a competitive landscape for occupational therapy assistants, reflecting the ongoing adjustments following the Medicare reimbursement cuts of 2022 that have impacted wages, particularly in SNF environments. The current job market for occupational therapy assistants in Marana indicates 7 established positions, emphasizing a tight-knit community of professionals managing the economic uncertainties in their field.
About the Marana Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,006 | $25.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,103 | $29.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,828 | $35.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,610 | $38.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,812 | $42.70 |
Median Salary Position
0.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marana
In Marana, AZ, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,806 (2026 est.). At $73,828, the local median is 0.68% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Marana: You'd be above the median
How Marana Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Marana median: $73,828/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $73,242 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -0.68% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Marana, AZ earn a median of $73,828 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.68% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.80% above the Arizona state average of $73,242.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marana 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.
Marana, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $73,828 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,952 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,093
2025 BLS Actual
$71,810
2026 Current Est.
$73,828
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Marana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,093 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,513 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,312 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,815 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,556 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,525 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,828 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,902 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marana metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $61,093 (2019) to $71,810 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,902 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,809 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marana 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) | $52,006 – $62,103 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,103 – $73,828 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,828 – $79,610 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,610 – $88,812 |
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 Marana
In analyzing the occupational therapy assistant pay in Marana AZ, the cost of living index stands at 98.5, which suggests that the local economy offers some advantages for maintaining purchasing power within salary ranges. With only seven occupational therapy assistants currently employed in the area, competition for higher-paying positions may be more acute, especially in skilled nursing and hospital settings where compensation is generally more favorable. Among local employment options, hospitals typically provide the highest pay, while educational organizations may offer less but can provide a more stable schedule. Factors like workload expectations and incentives for weekend or PRN shifts further contribute to pay disparities. To maximize earnings in Marana, which is adjusting to Medicare’s recent reimbursement rate cuts, occupational therapy assistants may find it beneficial to seek work in hospital inpatient rehab or pursue ongoing education towards advanced credentials, such as a COTA-to-MOT bridge pathway, enhancing their marketability in a competitive field.
More salary data for Marana, AZ:
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
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 $71,810 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Marana 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 Marana 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