OT Assistant Salary

Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Bossier City, LA: $70,389 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Bossier City, LA earns a median $70,389/year (โ‰ˆ $33.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Bossier City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $77,950 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% above the Louisiana state average.

$70,389
Median Annual Salary
$33.85/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$51,341
Entry Level (P10)
$89,440
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates ยท View source

Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Bossier City, LA โ€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Bossier City, LA occupational therapy assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Bossier City, Louisiana, prospective occupational therapy assistants can expect to earn a median annual salary of $70,389 in 2026, reflecting slightly below the national average of $74,332. Salaries can vary widely, with the lowest earners making around $51,341 and the highest reaching up to $89,440, depending on factors such as setting and experience. These figures are rooted in estimates derived from BLS state-level data and account for regional cost adjustments, providing a more accurate picture of earning potential for COTAs in this area. As the field continues to grow, the commitment to advancing from a COTA to a Master's in Occupational Therapy (MOT) can significantly enhance lifetime earnings, influencing the overall job market and demand for skilled professionals in Bossier City.

About the Bossier City Market

Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$51,341$24.68
Lower Range (P25)$60,515$29.10
Median (P50)(typical)$70,389$33.85
Upper Range (P75)$78,761$37.86
Top Earners (P90)$89,440$43.00

Median Salary Position

$51,341$89,440
City Median: $70,389
National: $74,332
P10โ€“P90 Range

5.3% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bossier City

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for occupational therapy assistants in Bossier City. The median salary is $70,389, compared to the national median of $74,332.$46.2K$58.1K$70.1K$82.0K$93.9K$51.3K10th Pctl$60.5K25th Pctl$70.4KMedian$78.8K75th Pctl$89.4K90th PctlUS Median$74.3K

In Bossier City, LA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,099 (2026 est.). At $70,389, the local median is 5.3% below the national median of $74,332.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of occupational therapy assistant pay in the Bossier City metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,354
per week
$5,866
per month
$70,398
per year

At 40 hours/week in Bossier City: You'd be above the median

How Bossier City Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares

Bossier City median: $70,389/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryBossier City Pays
Louisiana Average$67,682+4.00% more
National Average$74,332-5.30% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing occupational therapy assistant median salary in Bossier City ($70,389) with Louisiana average ($67,682) and the US national median ($74,332).Bossier City$70,389Louisiana Avg$67,682+4.00%US National$74,332-5.30%

Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bossier City, LA earn a median of $70,389 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.30% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.00% above the Louisiana state average of $67,682.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$70,389
Nominal Salary
90.3
CoL Index
$77,950
Adjusted Salary

Bossier City has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal ร— (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $70,389. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 90.3, the purchasing-power equivalent is $77,950, a gain of $7,561.$59.8K$67.3K$74.7K$82.2K$89.6K$70,389NominalSalary$77,950CoL Adjusted(CoL: 90.3)โ–ฒ 10.74%US Median $74.3K

Bossier City, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $70,389 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,950 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 10.74% boost.

Compare Purchasing Power

Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living

Select a city above to compare purchasing power

2019 BLS Actual

$58,247

2025 BLS Actual

$68,465

2026 Current Est.

$70,389

2019โ€“2027 Growth

+24.2%

Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bossier City (2019โ€“2027)

2019โ€“2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for occupational therapy assistants in Bossier City. Baseline $58,247 in 2025, projected to $72,367 by 2027.$51.0K$57.2K$63.5K$69.7K$75.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$58.2K$59.6K$58.5K$60.8K$63.5K$54.5K$68.5K$70.4K$72.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$58,247Actual
2020$59,601Actual
2021$58,456Actual
2022$60,842Actual
2023$63,456Actual
2024$54,546Actual
2025$68,465Actual
2026(current)$70,389Estimated
2027$72,367Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bossier City metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $58,247 (2019) to $68,465 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,367 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $14,120 (24.24%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bossier City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ€“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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$51,341 โ€“ $60,515
3-5 years (Mid Career)$60,515 โ€“ $70,389
5+ years (Experienced)$70,389 โ€“ $78,761
10+ years (Top Earner)$78,761 โ€“ $89,440

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 Bossier City

The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Bossier City is relatively stable, with approximately 16 individuals currently employed in this role. The cost of living index in the area stands at 90.3, which is below the national average, indicating that take-home pay can stretch further for local residents. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities often offer the most competitive pay, reflecting the demand for services in that setting. Factors affecting wage disparity include weekend premiums, expectations for productivity, and the implications of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that has influenced both skilled nursing and outpatient sectors. To maximize earnings, COTAs should seek opportunities where demand is highest, such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation, and consider options like PRN work and contracts that align with school schedules, which can enhance financial flexibility in a market like Bossier City, LA.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Bossier City, LA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median occupational therapy assistant salary in Bossier City is $70,389/year ($33.85/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.81% annual growth). Salaries range from $51,341 at entry level (10th percentile) to $89,440 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Bossier City at 5.3% below the national median. Full-time occupational therapy assistants typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Bossier City, LA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?

Bossier City occupational therapy assistant salaries are 5.3% below the national average and 4.0% above the Louisiana state average. The metro area employs approximately 16 occupational therapy assistants. With a cost-of-living index of 90.3, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Bossier City?

The median occupational therapy assistant salary in Bossier City is $70,389, and the 90th percentile earns $89,440. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Bossier City?

After adjusting for Bossier City's cost-of-living index of 90.3 (where 100 equals the national average), the $70,389 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $77,950 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 10.7% further in Bossier City compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for occupational therapy assistants seeking strong real wages.

How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Bossier City?

Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bossier City earn a median hourly rate of $33.85, which translates to approximately $70,389/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $24.68 for entry-level positions to $43.00 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem occupational therapy assistants sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Louisiana

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

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 $68,465 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Bossier City 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 (P10โ€“P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Bossier City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov

Last verified: