Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Nebraska: $66,163 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $66,163/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,309 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Omaha ($65,930), Grand Island ($64,574), Hastings ($64,543).
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Nebraska can expect an average median salary of $66,162, which is about 11.0% lower than the national median of $74,332. Salary variations are evident across the state, with Omaha offering the highest average at $67,783, while North Platte presents the lowest at $63,246. This approximately $4,537 gap can be attributed to factors such as cost of living differences, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of facilities in urban areas versus rural settings. Nebraska requires occupational therapy assistants to hold state licenses, which involves completing an accredited program and passing a national certification exam. The scope of practice is defined by state laws, and demand is driven by an aging population and increasing recognition of therapy's role in rehabilitation and chronic illness management. The job market for this profession is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.81%, reflecting a stable outlook as healthcare continues to expand. With a total of 196 occupational therapy assistants employed in the state, opportunities are likely to remain strong, particularly in metropolitan areas such as Omaha, Grand Island, and Hastings where salaries are comparatively higher.
Nebraska Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $46,021 (lowest entry-level) to $83,389 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska occupational therapy assistants earn 10.99% less than the national median ($-8,169/year difference).
Nebraska Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Nebraska range from $49,980 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $80,957 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,163. The Nebraska median is $8,169 below the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $31.81/hr. Approximately 196 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,750
2025 BLS Actual
$64,354
2026 Current Est.
$66,163
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,023 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,289 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,476 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,064 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,354 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,163 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,022 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $54,750 (2019) to $64,354 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,022 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,272 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nebraska 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 Nebraska
Lowest Paying Cities in Nebraska
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| North Platte | $63,246 |
| Papillion | $63,265 |
| La Vista | $63,332 |
| Norfolk | $63,342 |
| Columbus | $63,511 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $67,783 | 91.911 | $73,749 |
| Grand Island | $66,389 | 91.5 | $72,556 |
| Hastings | $66,357 | 91.5 | $72,521 |
| Fremont | $65,997 | 91.5 | $72,128 |
| Bellevue | $65,860 | 91.5 | $71,978 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nebraska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,980 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,163 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $80,957 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nebraska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 13 Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omaha | $67,783 |
| 2 | Grand Island | $66,389 |
| 3 | Hastings | $66,357 |
| 4 | Fremont | $65,997 |
| 5 | Bellevue | $65,860 |
| 6 | Kearney | $65,496 |
| 7 | Scottsbluff | $65,271 |
| 8 | Lincoln | $64,955 |
| 9 | Columbus | $63,511 |
| 10 | Norfolk | $63,342 |
| 11 | La Vista | $63,332 |
| 12 | Papillion | $63,265 |
| 13 | North Platte | $63,246 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Nebraska 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 Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Nebraska?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska 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 Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 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, 5-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