Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Tucson, AZ: $73,489 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Tucson, AZ earns a median $73,489/year (≈ $35.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Tucson's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $75,843 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual occupational therapy assistant salary in Tucson, Arizona, is projected to be $73,489, slightly below the national median of $74,332. Salaries for occupational therapy assistants in the region range from $51,415 at the 10th percentile to $82,454 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. This compensation landscape presents diverse opportunities based on experience, setting, and specialization. With a growth rate of 2.81% annually, the demand for COTAs, especially those considering the COTA-to-MOT bridge to advance their credentials, bodes well for long-term earnings potential in Tucson.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,415 | $24.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,321 | $30.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,489 | $35.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,593 | $36.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,454 | $39.64 |
Median Salary Position
1.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tucson
In Tucson, AZ, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,039 (2026 est.). At $73,489, the local median is 1.13% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Tucson: You'd be above the median
How Tucson Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Tucson median: $73,489/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tucson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $73,196 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -1.13% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tucson, AZ earn a median of $73,489 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.13% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.40% above the Arizona state average of $73,196.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tucson has a cost of living 3.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tucson, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 96.896 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $73,489 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,843 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,860
2025 BLS Actual
$71,480
2026 Current Est.
$73,489
2019–2027 Growth
+24.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tucson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,489 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,554 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tucson metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.4% from $60,860 (2019) to $71,480 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,554 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,694 (24.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tucson 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) | $51,415 – $63,321 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,321 – $73,489 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,489 – $76,593 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,593 – $82,454 |
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 Tucson
The job market in Tucson for occupational therapy assistants is currently bolstered by approximately 160 professionals engaged in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and school districts. The local cost of living index stands at 96.896, indicating that the cost of living is slightly below the national average and allowing for greater purchasing power with the salary range available. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab contracts typically offer the highest pay, driven largely by the intensity of care and productivity expectations. Additionally, the spread between lower and higher wages can be influenced by factors such as the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting OT services in certain settings. For those looking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Tucson, pursuing specialties or roles that prioritize weekend or PRN work can be particularly beneficial, given the added premiums associated with those shifts.
More salary data for Tucson, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $71,480 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Tucson 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