Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Queen Creek, AZ: $72,638 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Queen Creek, AZ earns a median $72,638/year (≈ $34.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Queen Creek's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $73,744 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Queen Creek, Arizona, can anticipate a median annual salary of $72,638 in 2026. This figure falls slightly below the national median of $74,332, showcasing unique local market conditions. The salary ranges from a low of $49,262 at the 10th percentile to a high of $87,649 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional pricing, highlight the diverse earning potential within the field. For those considering the COTA-to-MOT bridge, advancing one's education can significantly enhance lifetime pay, especially for those working in higher-paying settings such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation or specialized outpatient clinics.
About the Queen Creek Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,262 | $23.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,018 | $30.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,638 | $34.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,488 | $37.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,649 | $42.14 |
Median Salary Position
2.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Queen Creek
In Queen Creek, AZ, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,387 (2026 est.). At $72,638, the local median is 2.28% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Queen Creek: You'd be above the median
How Queen Creek Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Queen Creek median: $72,638/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Queen Creek Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $73,224 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -2.28% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Queen Creek, AZ earn a median of $72,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.28% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.80% below the Arizona state average of $73,224.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Queen Creek 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.
Queen Creek, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $72,638 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,744 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,109
2025 BLS Actual
$70,653
2026 Current Est.
$72,638
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Queen Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,109 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,506 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,324 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,786 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,484 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,405 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,653 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,638 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,679 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Queen Creek metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $60,109 (2019) to $70,653 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,679 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,570 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Queen Creek 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) | $49,262 – $64,018 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,018 – $72,638 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,638 – $78,488 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,488 – $87,649 |
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 Queen Creek
The local job market includes 11 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Queen Creek, AZ, which presents limited opportunities relative to broader regions. Given the area’s cost of living index of 98.5, the purchasing power of an occupational therapy assistant's salary is somewhat favorable despite it being lower than the national average. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities tend to offer lower pay compared to hospital setups due to tighter budgets stemming from Medicare reimbursement cuts. Factors contributing to salary disparities include differences in work settings, where hospital roles often command higher wages than school district positions and skilled nursing facilities. To maximize pay in Queen Creek, occupational therapy assistants should consider pursuing roles in healthcare facilities offering weekend or PRN position premiums and explore contracts that encourage year-round employment.
More salary data for Queen Creek, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Queen Creek, AZ in 2026?
Is Queen Creek, AZ a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Queen Creek?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Queen Creek?
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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 $70,653 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Queen Creek 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 Queen Creek 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