Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Los Alamos, NM: $64,674 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Los Alamos, NM earns a median $64,674/year (≈ $31.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Los Alamos's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $68,511 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With an estimated median annual salary of $64,674 for occupational therapy assistants in Los Alamos, NM, the local market currently reflects a pay structure that sits approximately 12.99% below the national average of $74,332 for the year 2026. Salaries in this region fall within a range from $49,575 at the 10th percentile to $76,965 at the 90th percentile, presenting a diverse earning potential based on experience and setting. These figures are derived from state-level data and account for regional cost-of-living adjustments, a factor that adds an important layer of context for those entering or currently serving in the occupational therapy field. For professionals considering the COTA-to-MOT bridge, the investment in further education can significantly enhance lifetime earnings and job prospects in a competitive environment like Los Alamos, where strategic career planning can yield fruitful outcomes.
About the Los Alamos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,575 | $23.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,060 | $27.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,674 | $31.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,842 | $33.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,965 | $37.00 |
Median Salary Position
12.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Alamos
In Los Alamos, NM, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,390 (2026 est.). At $64,674, the local median is 12.99% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Los Alamos: You'd be above the median
How Los Alamos Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Los Alamos median: $64,674/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Alamos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $70,145 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.99% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Los Alamos, NM earn a median of $64,674 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.99% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.80% below the New Mexico state average of $70,145.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Alamos 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.
Los Alamos, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,674 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,511 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,518
2025 BLS Actual
$62,906
2026 Current Est.
$64,674
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Los Alamos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,518 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,762 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,709 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,902 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,303 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,905 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,906 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,674 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,491 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Alamos metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,518 (2019) to $62,906 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,491 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,973 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Alamos 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) | $49,575 – $57,060 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,060 – $64,674 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,674 – $69,842 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,842 – $76,965 |
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 Los Alamos
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Los Alamos is notably small, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. This limited number could indicate a tight-knit community among practitioners but also reflects the broader implications of the cost-of-living index, which is currently at 94.4, suggesting that while salaries in Los Alamos are lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains relatively stable. Employers in skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab tend to offer higher compensation, contrasted with roles in outpatient clinics or school districts, where pay may be more modest. Factors contributing to the spread in pay include the productivity expectations tied to each setting and the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut impacting occupational therapy services. To maximize pay in Los Alamos, professionals should consider specializing in settings that traditionally offer higher wages, pursuing additional certifications, and negotiating contracts that align with current market trends.
More salary data for Los Alamos, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Los Alamos, NM in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Los Alamos?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Los Alamos?
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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 $62,906 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos 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