Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Albuquerque, NM: $76,470 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Albuquerque, NM earns a median $76,470/year (≈ $36.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Albuquerque's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $80,035 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% above the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $76,470 for 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Albuquerque notably exceeds the national median of $74,332, reflecting a competitive local market. Salaries in Albuquerque range significantly, from $35,511 at the lower 10th percentile to $103,653 for those at the 90th percentile. This range indicates the diverse opportunities available, which can be influenced by factors such as experience, setting, and specialization. The figures presented here are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, underscoring the vital role occupational therapy assistants play in the healthcare sector of Albuquerque, NM.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,511 | $17.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,252 | $28.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,470 | $36.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,463 | $41.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,653 | $49.83 |
Median Salary Position
2.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albuquerque
In Albuquerque, NM, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,142 (2026 est.). At $76,470, the local median is 2.88% above the national median of $74,332.
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How Albuquerque Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Albuquerque median: $76,470/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albuquerque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $70,156 | +9.00% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +2.88% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $76,470 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.88% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 9.00% above the New Mexico state average of $70,156.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albuquerque has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albuquerque, NM has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $76,470 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,035 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,340
2025 BLS Actual
$74,380
2026 Current Est.
$76,470
2019–2027 Growth
+30.3%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Albuquerque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,470 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,619 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albuquerque metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 23.3% from $60,340 (2019) to $74,380 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,619 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,279 (30.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albuquerque 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) | $35,511 – $58,252 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,252 – $76,470 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,470 – $86,463 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,463 – $103,653 |
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 Albuquerque
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Albuquerque is supported by around 150 employed professionals, suggesting a steady demand for services. The cost of living index in the city stands at 95.546, indicating it is below the national average, which can enhance take-home purchasing power for those in the field. Among potential employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab tend to offer the most lucrative salaries, while outpatient clinics and school district contracts usually have lower pay scales due to factors like the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that has affected the compensation landscape since 2022. To optimize earnings, COTAs should consider working in settings with greater productivity expectations and explore opportunities to fill roles that include a weekend or PRN premium. Additionally, pursuing further education pathways like COTA-to-MOT transitions can also enhance salary potential in this evolving field.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Albuquerque, NM in 2026?
Is Albuquerque, NM a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Albuquerque?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Albuquerque?
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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 $74,380 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Albuquerque 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