Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Santa Fe, NM: $70,848 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Santa Fe, NM earns a median $70,848/year (≈ $34.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Santa Fe's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $75,051 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Fe, the 2026 median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants reaches $70,848, slightly below the national median of $74,332. This local salary estimate reflects a broad range, with earnings ranging from $50,134 at the lower end (10th percentile) to as much as $88,187 (90th percentile) for the most experienced professionals. These figures have been adjusted to account for regional cost factors based on data sourced from 2025 BLS projections. The job market in Santa Fe suggests a steady demand for occupational therapy assistants, with expectations of productivity often shaping compensation levels.
About the Santa Fe Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,134 | $24.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,699 | $28.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,848 | $34.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,009 | $37.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,187 | $42.40 |
Median Salary Position
4.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Fe
In Santa Fe, NM, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,053 (2026 est.). At $70,848, the local median is 4.69% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Fe: You'd be above the median
How Santa Fe Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Santa Fe median: $70,848/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Fe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $70,147 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -4.69% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Santa Fe, NM earn a median of $70,848 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.69% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.00% above the New Mexico state average of $70,147.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Fe 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.
Santa Fe, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $70,848 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,051 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,628
2025 BLS Actual
$68,912
2026 Current Est.
$70,848
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Santa Fe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,628 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,991 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,837 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,239 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,912 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,848 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,839 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Fe metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $58,628 (2019) to $68,912 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,839 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,211 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Fe 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) | $50,134 – $59,699 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,699 – $70,848 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,848 – $78,009 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,009 – $88,187 |
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 Santa Fe
The employment of approximately 20 occupational therapy assistants in Santa Fe demonstrates a modest local job market, which is influenced by a cost-of-living index of 94.4—indicating that living expenses are relatively lower than the national average. Among various employers, those in hospital inpatient rehab and outpatient clinics tend to offer the highest compensation, although skilled nursing facilities might reduce pay structures due to the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. This variance arises from factors including the specific workplace setting, productivity expectations, and the differences in contract lengths—especially with school districts often offering less consistent pay compared to year-round contracts. To enhance earnings in Santa Fe, COTAs might consider seeking opportunities within hospitals, remaining flexible with scheduling to accommodate higher-demand periods, and pursuing additional certifications to expand their skill set.
More salary data for Santa Fe, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Santa Fe, NM in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Santa Fe?
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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 $68,912 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe 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