Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in New Orleans, LA: $67,700 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in New Orleans, LA earns a median $67,700/year (≈ $32.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in New Orleans's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $73,113 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in New Orleans, LA, earn a projected median annual salary of $67,700 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $74,332. The salary range for these professionals in the city spans from $60,884 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $92,724 at the higher end (90th percentile). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflect the local market conditions and productivity expectations that influence compensation. Given that COTAs typically work under the supervision of occupational therapists and often have varied responsibilities depending on the setting, the ability to manage visit productivity metrics can have a significant impact on earnings in this role.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,884 | $29.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,362 | $30.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,700 | $32.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,508 | $39.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,724 | $44.58 |
Median Salary Position
8.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Orleans
In New Orleans, LA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,840 (2026 est.). At $67,700, the local median is 8.92% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Orleans: You'd be in the entry-level range
How New Orleans Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
New Orleans median: $67,700/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Orleans Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $74,332 | -8.92% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in New Orleans, LA earn a median of $67,700 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.92% lower than the national median of $74,332.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Orleans has a cost of living 7.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Orleans, LA has a cost-of-living index of 92.597 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,700 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,113 in an average-cost city — an effective 8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,130
2025 BLS Actual
$65,850
2026 Current Est.
$67,700
2019–2027 Growth
+12.0%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in New Orleans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,850 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,700 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,603 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Orleans metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 6.0% from $62,130 (2019) to $65,850 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,603 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,473 (12.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Orleans 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) | $60,884 – $63,362 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,362 – $67,700 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,700 – $81,508 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,508 – $92,724 |
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 New Orleans
In New Orleans, approximately 130 occupational therapy assistants are employed, contributing to a defined job market with an encouraging annual growth rate of 2.81%. The cost-of-living index at 92.597 suggests that living expenses are below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of salaries in the area. The highest-paying opportunities for occupational therapy assistants tend to be in hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings, followed by skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics. Factors driving the salary range include various settings' productivity expectations, the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut effect impacting SNF and outpatient pay, and different contract structures across education and health sectors. To maximize occupational therapy assistant pay in New Orleans, professionals should consider gaining experience in higher-paying settings and seek out roles during peak seasons or on weekends when premium pay often applies.
More salary data for New Orleans, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in New Orleans?
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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 $65,850 for occupational therapy assistantsin the New Orleans 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
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