Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Sierra Vista, AZ: $70,047 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Sierra Vista, AZ earns a median $70,047/year (≈ $33.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Sierra Vista's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $71,114 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the anticipated salary for occupational therapy assistants in Sierra Vista, AZ, is projected to be $70,047. This figure positions local compensation slightly below the national median of $74,332. Within the city, salaries range from $52,699 at the lower end to $84,324 for those at the top of the pay scale, reflecting diverse work environments and responsibilities within the field. These projections are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for cost of living in the region. The local job market shows promise, particularly for COTAs working under OTs in various settings, with productivity expectations shaping overall compensation.
About the Sierra Vista Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,699 | $25.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,329 | $29.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,047 | $33.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,808 | $36.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,324 | $40.54 |
Median Salary Position
5.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sierra Vista
In Sierra Vista, AZ, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,625 (2026 est.). At $70,047, the local median is 5.76% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sierra Vista: You'd be above the median
How Sierra Vista Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Sierra Vista median: $70,047/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sierra Vista Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $73,194 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -5.76% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Sierra Vista, AZ earn a median of $70,047 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.76% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.30% below the Arizona state average of $73,194.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sierra Vista 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.
Sierra Vista, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $70,047 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,114 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
$57,964
2025 BLS Actual
$68,132
2026 Current Est.
$70,047
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Sierra Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,964 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,312 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,171 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,546 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,147 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,964 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,132 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,047 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,015 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sierra Vista metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $57,964 (2019) to $68,132 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,015 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,051 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sierra Vista 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) | $52,699 – $61,329 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,329 – $70,047 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,047 – $75,808 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,808 – $84,324 |
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 Sierra Vista
The employment landscape for occupational therapy assistants in Sierra Vista currently comprises just nine professionals, emphasizing a niche market. With a cost-of-living index sitting at 98.5, take-home earnings here provide reasonable purchasing power relative to other areas. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most competitive pay, especially in light of the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting agency settings. The variation in pay stems from factors such as workplace settings, productivity demands, and the seasonal nature of school district contracts. To optimize their earnings, COTAs in Sierra Vista may consider seeking employment in high-demand areas like outpatient clinics or exploring PRN positions that often come with a pay premium. Those looking to advance their careers can also consider COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways to increase their earning potential in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Sierra Vista, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Sierra Vista, AZ in 2026?
Is Sierra Vista, AZ a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Sierra Vista?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Sierra Vista?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Sierra Vista?
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 $68,132 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Sierra Vista 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 Sierra Vista 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