Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Rio Rancho, NM: $72,223 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Rio Rancho, NM earns a median $72,223/year (≈ $34.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Rio Rancho's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $76,507 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, can expect a median annual salary of $72,223 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this role varies widely, from $49,724 at the tenth percentile to $91,578 at the ninetieth percentile. These figures are based on state-level data and take into account regional price adjustments. With productivity expectations often linked to the number of visits per day, those working in outpatient clinics or skilled nursing facilities may see their compensation fluctuate based on the caseload and type of services provided. Understanding these dynamics is essential for those considering a career as an occupational therapy assistant in Rio Rancho, as it can impact their financial outcomes significantly.
About the Rio Rancho Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,724 | $23.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,189 | $28.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,223 | $34.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,244 | $38.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,578 | $44.02 |
Median Salary Position
2.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rio Rancho
In Rio Rancho, NM, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,854 (2026 est.). At $72,223, the local median is 2.84% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rio Rancho: You'd be above the median
How Rio Rancho Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Rio Rancho median: $72,223/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rio Rancho Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $70,188 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -2.84% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rio Rancho, NM earn a median of $72,223 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.84% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.90% above the New Mexico state average of $70,188.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rio Rancho 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.
Rio Rancho, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $72,223 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,507 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$59,765
2025 BLS Actual
$70,249
2026 Current Est.
$72,223
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rio Rancho (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,765 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,155 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,979 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,427 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,109 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,014 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,249 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,223 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,252 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rio Rancho metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $59,765 (2019) to $70,249 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,252 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,487 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rio Rancho 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) | $49,724 – $60,189 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,189 – $72,223 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,223 – $80,244 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,244 – $91,578 |
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 Rio Rancho
The local job market currently employs 16 occupational therapy assistants, a number that reflects a niche sector within Rio Rancho's healthcare landscape. With a cost-of-living index of 94.4, the purchasing power of salaries here is somewhat bolstered, despite the lower figures compared to national standards. Employers in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics typically offer competitive wages, especially for roles that demand higher productivity or come with weekend and per diem premiums. The disparity between lower and higher pay scales can largely be attributed to different work settings, productivity expectations, and contract terms—such as those with school districts, which may pay less than hospital contracts due to differences in reimbursement rates. To maximize earnings, aspiring occupational therapy assistants should consider seeking opportunities in high-demand environments like inpatient rehabilitation hospitals or explore avenues such as COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways for advancing their qualifications.
More salary data for Rio Rancho, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Rio Rancho, NM in 2026?
Is Rio Rancho, NM a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Rio Rancho?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Rio Rancho?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Rio Rancho?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Mexico
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 $70,249 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Rio Rancho 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 Rio Rancho 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