Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Farmington, NM: $69,155 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Farmington, NM earns a median $69,155/year (≈ $33.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Farmington's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $73,257 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Farmington, NM, can expect a median annual salary of $69,155 in 2026, which is notably below the national median of $74,332. These figures indicate a salary range from $49,720 at the 10th percentile to $80,535 at the 90th percentile. With eight occupational therapy assistants employed in the area, the local job market is relatively small but stable, offering a mix of employment opportunities within skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and educational institutions. The challenges of the recent Medicare cuts, particularly a 15% reduction for services rendered by occupational therapy assistants, have affected earnings, especially in settings that rely heavily on Medicare reimbursements. These factors contribute to determining the overall compensation landscape within Farmington.
About the Farmington Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,720 | $23.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,843 | $28.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,155 | $33.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,189 | $35.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,535 | $38.72 |
Median Salary Position
6.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Farmington
In Farmington, NM, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,815 (2026 est.). At $69,155, the local median is 6.96% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Farmington: You'd be above the median
How Farmington Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Farmington median: $69,155/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Farmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $70,137 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -6.96% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Farmington, NM earn a median of $69,155 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.96% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.40% below the New Mexico state average of $70,137.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Farmington has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Farmington, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $69,155 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,257 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,226
2025 BLS Actual
$67,265
2026 Current Est.
$69,155
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Farmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,226 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,557 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,431 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,776 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,343 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,126 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,265 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,155 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,098 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Farmington metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $57,226 (2019) to $67,265 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,098 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,872 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Farmington 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) | $49,720 – $58,843 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,843 – $69,155 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,155 – $73,189 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,189 – $80,535 |
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 Farmington
Take-home pay for occupational therapy assistants in Farmington is influenced by the area's cost of living index of 94.4, which is below the national average, implying a slightly better purchasing power for local residents. Among potential employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest salaries, followed closely by hospital inpatient rehabilitation roles. Schools generally provide lower pay but may offer more stable hours due to the school-year contract. The variability in compensation stems from differing productivity expectations across settings, distinct work arrangements, and the impact of the Medicare reimbursement cuts. For COTAs looking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Farmington, pursuing roles in high-demand settings, seeking part-time opportunities with weekend premiums, or bridging to a Master's degree through COTA-to-MOT pathways could enhance overall earnings and career potential.
More salary data for Farmington, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Farmington, NM in 2026?
Is Farmington, NM a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Farmington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Farmington?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Farmington?
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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 $67,265 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Farmington 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 Farmington 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