Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Post Falls, ID: $68,089 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Post Falls, ID earns a median $68,089/year (≈ $32.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Post Falls's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $71,447 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, individuals seeking an occupational therapy assistant salary in Post Falls can anticipate a median annual compensation of $68,089, which is notably lower than the national median of $74,332. Local salaries for this role range from $52,035 at the 10th percentile to $82,580 for the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse earning potential that may influence career decisions, particularly for those considering transitioning from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy (MOT). Given these projections are based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost variations, they provide a clear picture of what aspiring COTAs can expect in the Post Falls job market, especially as the annual growth rate is estimated to be 2.81% over the next five years.
About the Post Falls Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,035 | $25.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,000 | $28.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,089 | $32.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,507 | $34.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,580 | $39.71 |
Median Salary Position
8.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Post Falls
In Post Falls, ID, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,545 (2026 est.). At $68,089, the local median is 8.4% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Post Falls: You'd be above the median
How Post Falls Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Post Falls median: $68,089/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Post Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $70,852 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -8.40% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Post Falls, ID earn a median of $68,089 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.40% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.90% below the Idaho state average of $70,852.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Post 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.
Post Falls, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $68,089 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,447 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,344
2025 BLS Actual
$66,228
2026 Current Est.
$68,089
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Post Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,344 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,654 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,546 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,854 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,382 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,625 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,228 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,089 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,002 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Post Falls metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $56,344 (2019) to $66,228 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,002 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,658 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Post 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) | $52,035 – $60,000 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,000 – $68,089 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,089 – $71,507 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,507 – $82,580 |
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 Post Falls
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Post Falls is relatively small, with only nine professionals currently employed in the area. This localized market is shaped by a cost-of-living index of 95.3, which suggests that while salaries may be lower compared to national averages, the purchasing power may stretch further in this context. The highest-paying opportunities are often found within skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation, where the demand for COTAs remains strong. Factors influencing salary variations include productivity expectations, the types of contracts (such as school-year versus year-round), and the impact of the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA-provided services. To maximize pay in this market, COTAs can consider diversifying their skills, seeking positions in higher-paying settings, or pursuing advanced credentials through the COTA-to-MOT pathway, thereby enhancing both their earning potential and job stability in Post Falls, ID.
More salary data for Post Falls, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Post 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 $66,228 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Post 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 Post 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