Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Coeur d'Alene, ID: $71,501 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Coeur d'Alene, ID earns a median $71,501/year (≈ $34.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Coeur d'Alene's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $75,027 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is $71,501 in 2026, which reflects a slight decline compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this role spans from $50,487 at the 10th percentile to $88,771 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, highlight the job's varying pay structures. Factors impacting this divide include the settings in which occupational therapy assistants are employed, with skilled nursing facilities often offering less pay due to adjusted Medicare reimbursement rates, while hospital positions tend to provide higher compensation. Understanding this dynamic can help prospective COTAs assess their employment options in Coeur d'Alene’s evolving healthcare landscape.
About the Coeur d'Alene Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,487 | $24.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,222 | $28.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,501 | $34.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,756 | $37.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,771 | $42.68 |
Median Salary Position
3.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Coeur d'Alene
In Coeur d'Alene, ID, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,284 (2026 est.). At $71,501, the local median is 3.81% below the national median of $74,332.
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How Coeur d'Alene Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Coeur d'Alene median: $71,501/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Coeur d'Alene Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $70,863 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -3.81% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Coeur d'Alene, ID earn a median of $71,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.81% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.90% above the Idaho state average of $70,863.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Coeur d'Alene has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Coeur d'Alene, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $71,501 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,027 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,168
2025 BLS Actual
$69,547
2026 Current Est.
$71,501
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Coeur d'Alene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,168 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,543 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,379 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,804 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,458 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,563 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,547 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,501 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,510 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Coeur d'Alene metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $59,168 (2019) to $69,547 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,510 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,342 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coeur d'Alene 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) | $50,487 – $60,222 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,222 – $71,501 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,501 – $78,756 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,756 – $88,771 |
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 Coeur d'Alene
With only 12 occupational therapy assistants currently working in Coeur d'Alene, the local market shows both potential and challenges. The cost of living index stands at 95.3, meaning that living expenses in the area are below the national average, which can enhance purchasing power for COTAs. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) often lag behind hospitals in terms of salary offers, due in part to the 15% reimbursement cut to Medicare for OTA-provided services which began in 2022. School districts typically provide lower pay as well, but the structure of year-round contracts versus school-year-only schedules can also affect annual earnings. To maximize pay in this market, COTAs might seek positions in outpatient clinics or inpatient rehab settings, where higher productivity expectations often lead to better hourly rates, and consider roles that offer weekend or PRN shifts, which typically include premium pay.
More salary data for Coeur d'Alene, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Coeur d'Alene, ID in 2026?
Is Coeur d'Alene, ID a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Coeur d'Alene?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Coeur d'Alene?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Coeur d'Alene?
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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 $69,547 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Coeur d'Alene 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 Coeur d'Alene 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