Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Texarkana, AR: $81,275 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Texarkana, AR earns a median $81,275/year (≈ $39.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Texarkana's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $93,527 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 25.8% above the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Texarkana, AR, the projected salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 reveals a median annual figure of $81,275, significantly higher than the national median of $74,332. The salary range stretches from $62,208 at the bottom percentile to $98,686 at the top, illustrating the variance in compensation in this region. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, reflect the realities facing COTAs amid trends in care settings. The interplay between skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), school systems, and hospitals profoundly shapes pay structures, especially in light of the 15% Medicare cut that has impacted reimbursement rates for services, particularly in SNFs and outpatient scenarios.
About the Texarkana Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,208 | $29.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,691 | $34.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,275 | $39.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,476 | $42.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,686 | $47.45 |
Median Salary Position
9.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Texarkana
In Texarkana, AR, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,478 (2026 est.). At $81,275, the local median is 9.34% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Texarkana: You'd be above the median
How Texarkana Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Texarkana median: $81,275/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Texarkana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $64,607 | +25.80% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +9.34% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Texarkana, AR earn a median of $81,275 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.34% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 25.80% above the Arkansas state average of $64,607.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Texarkana has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Texarkana, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $81,275 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,527 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,256
2025 BLS Actual
$79,054
2026 Current Est.
$81,275
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Texarkana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,256 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,497 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,252 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,481 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,054 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,275 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,559 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Texarkana metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $67,256 (2019) to $79,054 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,559 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,303 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Texarkana 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) | $62,208 – $71,691 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,691 – $81,275 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,275 – $88,476 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,476 – $98,686 |
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 Texarkana
Currently, Texarkana employs seven occupational therapy assistants, who enjoy a cost of living index of 86.9, indicating that their take-home pay goes further in this community than in many places. The local job market shows strong opportunities, particularly in hospital inpatient rehab, which tends to offer the highest pay among employers in the area. Factors contributing to the pay disparities include productivity expectations, weekend and PRN differentials, and the varying contract durations, notably between school-year roles and those available year-round. COTAs seeking to maximize their salaries should consider positions that leverage their skills in high-demand settings such as rehabilitation hospitals or outpatient clinics, while remaining mindful of the ongoing impact of Medicare reimbursement policies.
More salary data for Texarkana, AR:
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 $79,054 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Texarkana 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 Texarkana 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