Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Scottsdale, AZ: $77,160 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Scottsdale, AZ earns a median $77,160/year (≈ $37.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Scottsdale's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $78,335 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Scottsdale is projected to reach $77,160 annually, providing a competitive edge over the national median of $74,332. The salary range for professionals in this field spans from $52,386 at the 10th percentile to $98,421 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the potential earnings for those in varied settings and roles. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions and cost-of-living factors. In Scottsdale, a bustling city known for its thriving healthcare sector, the demand for occupational therapy assistants is robust, reflecting a dynamic job market that accommodates both employment opportunities and salary growth potential.
About the Scottsdale Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,386 | $25.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,746 | $30.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,160 | $37.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,368 | $42.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,421 | $47.31 |
Median Salary Position
3.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scottsdale
In Scottsdale, AZ, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,035 (2026 est.). At $77,160, the local median is 3.8% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Scottsdale: You'd be above the median
How Scottsdale Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Scottsdale median: $77,160/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scottsdale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $73,207 | +5.40% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +3.80% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Scottsdale, AZ earn a median of $77,160 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.80% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 5.40% above the Arizona state average of $73,207.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scottsdale 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.
Scottsdale, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $77,160 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,335 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,850
2025 BLS Actual
$75,051
2026 Current Est.
$77,160
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Scottsdale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,335 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,079 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,695 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,663 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,051 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,160 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,328 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scottsdale metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $63,850 (2019) to $75,051 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,328 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,478 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scottsdale 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) | $52,386 – $63,746 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,746 – $77,160 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,160 – $87,368 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,368 – $98,421 |
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 Scottsdale
Analyzing the local job market reveals that there are currently 44 occupational therapy assistants employed in Scottsdale, making it a relatively intimate community for professionals in the field. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, Scottsdale's lower housing costs can enhance the take-home purchasing power for COTAs as compared to other regions. Typically, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics offer the highest pay rates, driven by productivity expectations and the nature of patient caseloads. Variations in compensation can be attributed to factors such as differences in facility type, the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut since 2022, and whether the contracts are for school year versus year-round positions. To maximize earnings in the Scottsdale area, occupational therapy assistants should consider seeking roles in high-paying facilities and exploring opportunities for weekend or PRN shifts that often come with pay premiums. Understanding these dynamics could greatly affect how much do occupational therapy assistants make in Scottsdale AZ.
More salary data for Scottsdale, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Scottsdale, AZ in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Scottsdale?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Scottsdale?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Scottsdale?
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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 $75,051 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale 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