Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Metairie, LA: $67,947 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Metairie, LA earns a median $67,947/year (≈ $32.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Metairie's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $75,246 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an occupational therapy assistant in Metairie, Louisiana can expect to earn a median annual salary of $67,947, which falls short of the national median of $74,332 by approximately 8.59%. Salary projections indicate a wide range of earnings, with the lowest 10% earning around $45,339 while the top 10% can make up to $88,241. These figures are based on state-level estimates and incorporate regional adjustments in living costs, reflecting the economic context of Metairie. As the area continues to grow, opportunities for occupational therapy assistants are developing, especially as many seek to advance from certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs) to masters of occupational therapy (MOTs), which can significantly enhance lifetime earning potential.
About the Metairie Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,339 | $21.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,416 | $28.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,947 | $32.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,275 | $35.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,241 | $42.42 |
Median Salary Position
8.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Metairie
In Metairie, LA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,902 (2026 est.). At $67,947, the local median is 8.59% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Metairie: You'd be above the median
How Metairie Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Metairie median: $67,947/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Metairie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $67,676 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -8.59% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Metairie, LA earn a median of $67,947 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.59% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.40% above the Louisiana state average of $67,676.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Metairie has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Metairie, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,947 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,246 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,227
2025 BLS Actual
$66,090
2026 Current Est.
$67,947
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Metairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,227 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,534 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,428 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,731 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,254 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,752 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,947 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,856 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Metairie metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $56,227 (2019) to $66,090 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,856 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,629 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Metairie 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) | $45,339 – $59,416 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,416 – $67,947 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,947 – $74,275 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,275 – $88,241 |
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 Metairie
The local job market currently employs 23 occupational therapy assistants, indicating stable demand in Metairie. Despite a cost of living index of 90.3—signifying that living expenses are lower than the national average—the salaries offered must be competitive to ensure that professionals can maintain purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab centers typically provide higher pay compared to outpatient clinics or school districts, particularly for those working under high-demand settings. Differences in occupational therapy assistant pay in Metairie, LA can be attributed to various factors; settings characterized by productivity projections and weekend or PRN premium shifts tend to offer better compensation. To maximize earnings, COTAs may consider opportunities in year-round programs and develop additional skills that align with the evolving demands in health care, especially after the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that impacts service delivery models.
More salary data for Metairie, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $66,090 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Metairie 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 Metairie 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