Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in La Vista, NE: $63,332 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in La Vista, NE earns a median $63,332/year (≈ $30.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in La Vista's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $69,215 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In La Vista, Nebraska, the projected earnings for an occupational therapy assistant stand at a median annual salary of $63,332 for 2026, marking a 14.80% decrease compared to the national average. Salaries in this field range significantly from $49,634 at the 10th percentile to $74,396 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a broad spectrum of job roles and responsibilities. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reveal the dynamics of the local job market for COTAs, who primarily serve various healthcare settings. With increasing productivity expectations regarding visits per day, understanding potential compensation packages is critical for those considering a COTA career in La Vista.
About the La Vista Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,634 | $23.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,667 | $27.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,332 | $30.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,792 | $32.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,396 | $35.77 |
Median Salary Position
14.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Vista
In La Vista, NE, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,762 (2026 est.). At $63,332, the local median is 14.8% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Vista: You'd be above the median
How La Vista Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
La Vista median: $63,332/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Vista Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $68,026 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.80% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in La Vista, NE earn a median of $63,332 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.80% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.90% below the Nebraska state average of $68,026.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Vista has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Vista, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,332 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,215 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,408
2025 BLS Actual
$61,601
2026 Current Est.
$63,332
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in La Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,408 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,626 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,595 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,742 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,094 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,825 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,601 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,332 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,112 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Vista metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,408 (2019) to $61,601 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,112 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,704 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Vista 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) | $49,634 – $56,667 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,667 – $63,332 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,332 – $67,792 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,792 – $74,396 |
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 La Vista
Analyzing the local job market, there are currently six occupational therapy assistants employed in the area. The cost of living index for La Vista stands at 91.5, which indicates that living expenses are somewhat below the national average, ultimately affecting the purchasing power of COTAs. Among the different employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitations tend to offer more competitive wages compared to outpatient clinics or school district contracts. Factors such as weekend or PRN premiums, productivity benchmarks, and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut significantly influence the pay scale. To enhance compensation in La Vista, aspiring and current occupational therapy assistants should consider seeking roles in higher-paying settings and negotiating based on their experience and the increasing demand for skilled practitioners.
More salary data for La Vista, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in La Vista, NE in 2026?
Is La Vista, NE a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in La Vista?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in La Vista?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in La Vista?
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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 $61,601 for occupational therapy assistantsin the La Vista 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 La Vista 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