Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Phoenix, AZ: $78,218 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Phoenix, AZ earns a median $78,218/year (≈ $37.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Phoenix's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $75,708 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.8% above the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Phoenix, Arizona, the projections for the occupational therapy assistant salary in Phoenix show promise, with a median annual income forecasted at $78,218 for 2026. The full salary range spans from $65,068 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $95,850 at the high end (90th percentile). This information is drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflecting the dynamic nature of the local job market and highlighting the potential for career advancement. With the ongoing development of pathways from COTA to MOT, occupational therapy assistants in Phoenix can significantly boost their lifetime earnings by pursuing further education and expanding their responsibilities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,068 | $31.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,572 | $31.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,218 | $37.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,785 | $39.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,850 | $46.08 |
Median Salary Position
5.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Phoenix
In Phoenix, AZ, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,782 (2026 est.). At $78,218, the local median is 5.23% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Phoenix: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Phoenix Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Phoenix median: $78,218/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Phoenix Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $73,238 | +6.80% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +5.23% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Phoenix, AZ earn a median of $78,218 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.23% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 6.80% above the Arizona state average of $73,238.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Phoenix has a cost of living 3.32% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Phoenix, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 103.316 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,218 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,708 — a 3.21% reduction.
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
$67,210
2025 BLS Actual
$76,080
2026 Current Est.
$78,218
2019–2027 Growth
+19.6%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Phoenix (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,218 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,416 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Phoenix metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 13.2% from $67,210 (2019) to $76,080 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,416 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,206 (19.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Phoenix 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) | $65,068 – $65,572 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,572 – $78,218 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,218 – $81,785 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,785 – $95,850 |
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 Phoenix
The local job market indicates that approximately 800 occupational therapy assistants are currently employed within the Phoenix area, which offers a robust environment for career growth. With a cost-of-living index of 103.316, living in Phoenix aligns close to the national average, but it can impact take-home purchasing power, especially for those in entry-level positions. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab units are among the top-paying employers for occupational therapy assistants in Phoenix, often outpacing school districts and outpatient clinics. Factors such as productivity expectations, the types of contracts (year-round versus school-year), and the 15% reimbursement cut affecting OTA services drive the diversity in pay rates. For COTAs, seeking employment in higher-paying sectors, pursuing additional certifications, or opting for weekend and PRN hours may offer the best strategies for maximizing occupational therapy assistant pay in Phoenix AZ.
More salary data for Phoenix, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Phoenix, AZ in 2026?
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Phoenix?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Phoenix?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Phoenix?
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 $76,080 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Phoenix 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
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