Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Louisiana: $68,873 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $68,873/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $76,271 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lake Charles ($77,820), Houma ($75,850), Thibodaux ($74,257).
In Louisiana, the average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 is projected to be $68,872, which is about 7.3% lower than the national median of $74,332. The highest paying city, Lake Charles, offers an average salary of $80,007, while Sulphur presents the lowest at $62,602, indicating a salary gap of $17,405. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as local demand for services, cost of living, and the types of healthcare facilities available in each area. In Louisiana, occupational therapy assistants must meet specific state licensing requirements and adhere to defined scopes of practice laws, which can influence job opportunities and salary potential. The 2026 growth rate for this profession is projected at 2.81%, indicating a steady demand driven by an aging population and an increased focus on rehabilitative care. Of the 650 occupational therapy assistants employed in the state, top-paying locations include Houma at $77,981, Thibodaux at $76,344, Shreveport at $71,525, and Bossier City at $70,389. This geographical variance underscores the importance of considering local market conditions when evaluating career prospects in this field.
Louisiana Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $20,120 (lowest entry-level) to $98,132 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana occupational therapy assistants earn 7.34% less than the national median ($-5,459/year difference).
Louisiana Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Louisiana range from $47,595 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $87,415 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $68,873. The Louisiana median is $5,459 below the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $33.11/hr. Approximately 650 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,196
2025 BLS Actual
$66,990
2026 Current Est.
$68,873
2019–2027 Growth
+15.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,196 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,125 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,291 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,146 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,076 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,783 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,873 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,808 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 9.5% from $61,196 (2019) to $66,990 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,808 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,612 (15.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sulphur | $62,602 |
| Zachary | $62,964 |
| Natchitoches | $63,264 |
| Hammond | $63,616 |
| New Iberia | $64,133 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles | $80,007 | 85.852 | $93,192 |
| Houma | $77,981 | 85.103 | $91,631 |
| Thibodaux | $76,344 | 90.3 | $84,545 |
| Shreveport | $71,525 | 84.766 | $84,379 |
| Monroe | $65,932 | 83.597 | $78,869 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,595 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $68,873 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $87,415 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Charles | $80,007 |
| 2 | Houma | $77,981 |
| 3 | Thibodaux | $76,344 |
| 4 | Shreveport | $71,525 |
| 5 | Bossier City | $70,389 |
| 6 | Metairie | $67,947 |
| 7 | New Orleans | $67,700 |
| 8 | Lafayette | $66,724 |
| 9 | Kenner | $66,329 |
| 10 | Monroe | $65,932 |
| 11 | Slidell | $65,772 |
| 12 | Ruston | $65,102 |
| 13 | Central | $65,037 |
| 14 | Baton Rouge | $64,801 |
| 15 | Alexandria | $64,711 |
| 16 | New Iberia | $64,133 |
| 17 | Hammond | $63,616 |
| 18 | Natchitoches | $63,264 |
| 19 | Zachary | $62,964 |
| 20 | Sulphur | $62,602 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Louisiana cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new occupational therapy assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Louisiana?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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