Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Idaho Falls, ID: $71,675 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Idaho Falls, ID earns a median $71,675/year (≈ $34.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Idaho Falls's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $75,210 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Idaho Falls can anticipate a median annual salary of $71,675 in 2026, reflecting the economic realities in a region impacted by various healthcare settings. The salary range extends from $50,967 at the 10th percentile to $89,526 at the 90th percentile, providing insight into the diverse pay scales influenced by job type and work environment. The local estimates are informed by 2025 BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, contextualizing how much do occupational therapy assistants make in Idaho Falls compared to national trends. While the median salary here is slightly below the national average of $74,332, it's essential to consider the structural divisions among skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals that continue to shape pay disparities in this healthcare market.
About the Idaho Falls Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,967 | $24.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,582 | $29.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,675 | $34.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,105 | $38.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,526 | $43.04 |
Median Salary Position
3.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Idaho Falls
In Idaho Falls, ID, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,559 (2026 est.). At $71,675, the local median is 3.57% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Idaho Falls: You'd be above the median
How Idaho Falls Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Idaho Falls median: $71,675/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Idaho Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $70,825 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -3.57% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Idaho Falls, ID earn a median of $71,675 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.57% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.20% above the Idaho state average of $70,825.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Idaho Falls 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.
Idaho Falls, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $71,675 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,210 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,312
2025 BLS Actual
$69,716
2026 Current Est.
$71,675
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Idaho Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,312 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,691 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,524 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,954 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,615 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,713 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,716 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,675 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,689 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Idaho Falls metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $59,312 (2019) to $69,716 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,689 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,377 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Idaho Falls 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) | $50,967 – $60,582 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,582 – $71,675 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,675 – $79,105 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,105 – $89,526 |
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 Idaho Falls
With only nine occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Idaho Falls, the competitive job market reflects both opportunities and challenges amid a cost of living index at 95.3, indicating an economically favorable environment for potential residents. Employers, particularly those in hospital inpatient rehabilitation, generally offer higher compensation compared to skilled nursing facilities and school systems, especially post the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that has compressed OTA pay over the past few years. The pay gap can also be attributed to varied productivity expectations among settings and the differences between PRN and full-time contracts. To maximize compensation in Idaho Falls, aspiring occupational therapy assistants might focus on securing roles in hospital or outpatient environments and consider year-round positions to buffer against the financial impact of school-year-only contracts.
More salary data for Idaho Falls, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Idaho Falls, ID in 2026?
Is Idaho Falls, ID a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Idaho Falls?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Idaho Falls?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Idaho Falls?
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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 $69,716 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Idaho Falls 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 Idaho Falls 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