Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Nogales, AZ: $68,970 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Nogales, AZ earns a median $68,970/year (≈ $33.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Nogales's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $70,020 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Nogales, Arizona, the projected compensation for occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in 2026 is estimated at a median annual salary of $68,970, which reflects a discrepancy of roughly 7.21% below the national median of $74,332. This local estimate indicates a salary range from $49,760 at the 10th percentile to $78,188 at the 90th percentile. Factors affecting OTA salaries in the region include the structure of workplaces, notably skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals, each coping with the aftermath of the Medicare cuts. With only five occupational therapy assistants employed in Nogales, the job market's competitiveness in the face of these limits can impact pay scales, making it essential for prospective OTAs to consider their setting carefully for optimal salary outcomes.
About the Nogales Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,760 | $23.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,695 | $30.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,970 | $33.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,228 | $34.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,188 | $37.59 |
Median Salary Position
7.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nogales
In Nogales, AZ, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,428 (2026 est.). At $68,970, the local median is 7.21% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nogales: You'd be above the median
How Nogales Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Nogales median: $68,970/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nogales Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $73,217 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -7.21% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Nogales, AZ earn a median of $68,970 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.21% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.80% below the Arizona state average of $73,217.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nogales 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.
Nogales, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $68,970 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,020 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$57,073
2025 BLS Actual
$67,085
2026 Current Est.
$68,970
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Nogales (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,073 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,277 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,616 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,177 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,085 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,970 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,908 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nogales metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $57,073 (2019) to $67,085 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,908 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,835 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nogales 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) | $49,760 – $62,695 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,695 – $68,970 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,970 – $72,228 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,228 – $78,188 |
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 Nogales
Factors contributing to the local occupational therapy assistant pay in Nogales, AZ, reflect broader economic considerations. The cost-of-living index stands at 98.5, indicating that living expenses are slightly below the national average, which influences purchasing power. Employers in high-demand settings such as hospitals generally offer more favorable compensation compared to those in schools or SNFs, especially given the consequences of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut impacting OTA services. The variance between lower and higher pay can also be attributed to differences in productivity expectations, professional requirements for continuity of care, and contract durations. OTAs seeking to maximize their earnings could explore opportunities in outpatient clinics or home health agencies, where demand tends to be higher, or consider pursuing further education pathways, such as a COTA-to-MOT program, which could enhance their qualifications and income potential.
More salary data for Nogales, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Nogales, AZ in 2026?
Is Nogales, AZ a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Nogales?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Nogales?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Nogales?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arizona
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 $67,085 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Nogales 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 Nogales 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