OT Assistant Salary

Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Las Vegas, NM: $65,228 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Las Vegas, NM earns a median $65,228/year (โ‰ˆ $31.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Las Vegas's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $69,097 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the New Mexico state average.

$65,228
Median Annual Salary
$31.36/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$51,217
Entry Level (P10)
$78,497
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates ยท View source

Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Las Vegas, NM โ€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Las Vegas, NM occupational therapy assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Occupational therapy assistants in Las Vegas, NM are projected to earn a median annual salary of $65,228 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this occupation in the area stretches from $51,217 at the 10th percentile to $78,497 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variability in compensation based on experience and setting. These salary figures are locally estimated from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living differences. Productivity expectations, reflecting the number of patient visits performed daily, play a significant role in shaping compensation, as therapists are often rewarded for their efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery, which is crucial in a market as tight as Las Vegas, NM.

About the Las Vegas Market

Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$51,217$24.62
Lower Range (P25)$58,227$28.00
Median (P50)(typical)$65,228$31.36
Upper Range (P75)$67,381$32.40
Top Earners (P90)$78,497$37.74

Median Salary Position

$51,217$78,497
City Median: $65,228
National: $74,332
P10โ€“P90 Range

12.25% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Las Vegas

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for occupational therapy assistants in Las Vegas. The median salary is $65,228, compared to the national median of $74,332.$46.1K$55.2K$64.3K$73.3K$82.4K$51.2K10th Pctl$58.2K25th Pctl$65.2KMedian$67.4K75th Pctl$78.5K90th PctlUS Median$74.3K

In Las Vegas, NM, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,280 (2026 est.). At $65,228, the local median is 12.25% below the national median of $74,332.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of occupational therapy assistant pay in the Las Vegas metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,254
per week
$5,435
per month
$65,223
per year

At 40 hours/week in Las Vegas: You'd be above the median

How Las Vegas Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares

Las Vegas median: $65,228/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryLas Vegas Pays
New Mexico Average$70,137-7.00% less
National Average$74,332-12.25% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing occupational therapy assistant median salary in Las Vegas ($65,228) with New Mexico average ($70,137) and the US national median ($74,332).Las Vegas$65,228New Mexico Avg$70,137-7.00%US National$74,332-12.25%

Occupational Therapy Assistants in Las Vegas, NM earn a median of $65,228 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.25% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.00% below the New Mexico state average of $70,137.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$65,228
Nominal Salary
94.4
CoL Index
$69,097
Adjusted Salary

Las Vegas has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal ร— (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $65,228. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 94.4, the purchasing-power equivalent is $69,097, a gain of $3,869.$55.4K$63.0K$70.5K$78.0K$85.5K$65,228NominalSalary$69,097CoL Adjusted(CoL: 94.4)โ–ฒ 5.93%US Median $74.3K

Las Vegas, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,228 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,097 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 5.93% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$53,977

2025 BLS Actual

$63,445

2026 Current Est.

$65,228

2019โ€“2027 Growth

+24.2%

Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Las Vegas (2019โ€“2027)

2019โ€“2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for occupational therapy assistants in Las Vegas. Baseline $53,977 in 2025, projected to $67,061 by 2027.$51.4K$55.9K$60.5K$65.1K$69.7K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$54.0K$55.2K$54.2K$56.4K$58.8K$61.4K$63.4K$65.2K$67.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$53,977Actual
2020$55,231Actual
2021$54,170Actual
2022$56,381Actual
2023$58,803Actual
2024$61,427Actual
2025$63,445Actual
2026(current)$65,228Estimated
2027$67,061Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Las Vegas metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,977 (2019) to $63,445 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,061 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $13,084 (24.24%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Las Vegas metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ€“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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$51,217 โ€“ $58,227
3-5 years (Mid Career)$58,227 โ€“ $65,228
5+ years (Experienced)$65,228 โ€“ $67,381
10+ years (Top Earner)$67,381 โ€“ $78,497

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 Las Vegas

Currently, there are five occupational therapy assistants employed in Las Vegas, revealing a fairly small job market. The cost-of-living index of 94.4 indicates that living expenses in the area are somewhat lower than the national average, which can enhance purchasing power for local residents. Among potential employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher compensation compared to other settings such as outpatient clinics or school districts, where pay can be influenced by seasonal work patterns. Factors driving the disparity in salaries include weekend premiums, the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, and varying expectations in productivity across different environments. To maximize pay, leveraging opportunities in high-demand facilities and considering roles that offer a consistent patient load can be effective strategies for occupational therapy assistants in Las Vegas, NM.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Las Vegas, NM in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median occupational therapy assistant salary in Las Vegas is $65,228/year ($31.36/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.81% annual growth). Salaries range from $51,217 at entry level (10th percentile) to $78,497 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Las Vegas at 12.2% below the national median. Full-time occupational therapy assistants typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Las Vegas, NM a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?

Las Vegas occupational therapy assistant salaries are 12.2% below the national average and 7.0% below the New Mexico state average. The metro area employs approximately 5 occupational therapy assistants. With a cost-of-living index of 94.4, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Las Vegas?

The median occupational therapy assistant salary in Las Vegas is $65,228, and the 90th percentile earns $78,497. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Las Vegas?

After adjusting for Las Vegas's cost-of-living index of 94.4 (where 100 equals the national average), the $65,228 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $69,097 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 5.9% further in Las Vegas compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for occupational therapy assistants seeking strong real wages.

How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Las Vegas?

Occupational Therapy Assistants in Las Vegas earn a median hourly rate of $31.36, which translates to approximately $65,228/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $24.62 for entry-level positions to $37.74 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem occupational therapy assistants sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

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 $63,445 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Las Vegas 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 (P10โ€“P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Las Vegas is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov

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