Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Nevada: $79,881 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nevada's 9 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $79,881/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because Nevada sits at BEA RPP 98.3 (2% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $81,262 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Las Vegas ($79,520), North Las Vegas ($79,186), Henderson ($78,779).
The salary landscape for occupational therapy assistants in Nevada is promising, with a projected average median salary of $79,880 for 2026, which is 7.5% higher than the national median of $74,332. The highest-paying city is Las Vegas, offering an average salary of $81,755, while Fernley has the lowest, at $67,538, creating a salary gap of $14,217 between these two locations. This disparity can be attributed to the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of facilities in urban areas versus more rural settings. In Nevada, occupational therapy assistants must adhere to specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can affect job responsibilities and opportunities. The job market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.81%, indicating a steady demand for professionals in this field. Key drivers for this demand include an aging population, increased awareness of rehabilitation services, and a rise in outpatient therapy centers that require support staff. The top five cities for occupational therapy assistant salaries in 2026 are Las Vegas ($81,755), North Las Vegas ($81,411), Henderson ($80,993), Reno ($80,295), and Sparks ($73,719). As healthcare continues to evolve, opportunities for occupational therapy assistants in Nevada are likely to remain strong.
Nevada Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nevada: $42,985 (lowest entry-level) to $107,442 (highest top earner)
Nevada vs National Average
Nevada occupational therapy assistants earn 7.47% more than the national median (+$5,549/year difference).
Nevada Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Nevada range from $59,037 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $99,089 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $79,881. The Nevada median is $5,549 above the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $38.40/hr. Approximately 385 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 9 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$72,640
2025 BLS Actual
$77,697
2026 Current Est.
$79,881
2019–2027 Growth
+13.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Nevada (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,332 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,697 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,881 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,125 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nevada metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 7.0% from $72,640 (2019) to $77,697 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,125 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,485 (13.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nevada 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 Nevada
Lowest Paying Cities in Nevada
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fernley | $67,538 |
| Elko | $68,368 |
| Mesquite | $68,714 |
| Carson City | $71,206 |
| Sparks | $73,719 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Nevada
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nevada cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Las Vegas | $81,411 | 98.3 | $82,819 |
| Henderson | $80,993 | 98.3 | $82,394 |
| Las Vegas | $81,755 | 100.215 | $81,580 |
| Reno | $80,295 | 101.014 | $79,489 |
| Sparks | $73,719 | 98.3 | $74,994 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nevada
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $59,037 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $79,881 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $99,089 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nevada metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 9 Cities in Nevada
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas | $81,755 |
| 2 | North Las Vegas | $81,411 |
| 3 | Henderson | $80,993 |
| 4 | Reno | $80,295 |
| 5 | Sparks | $73,719 |
| 6 | Carson City | $71,206 |
| 7 | Mesquite | $68,714 |
| 8 | Elko | $68,368 |
| 9 | Fernley | $67,538 |
More Nevada Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Nevada 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 Nevada in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Nevada?
How does Nevada occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Nevada?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Nevada?
Which Nevada 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 Nevada. State averages are employment-weighted across 9 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, 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