Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in South Valley, NM: $67,952 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in South Valley, NM earns a median $67,952/year (≈ $32.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in South Valley's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $71,983 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in South Valley, NM, is projected to be $67,952, which falls below the national median of $74,332. This salary represents a range from a lower boundary of $47,160 at the 10th percentile to $83,226 for the highest earners at the 90th percentile. The figures provided are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. The earnings in this area reflect the complex environment in which occupational therapy assistants operate, particularly as providers grapple with the implications of the recent Medicare cuts that have affected service funding across various practice settings.
About the South Valley Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,495 | $29.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,952 | $32.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,614 | $35.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,226 | $40.01 |
Median Salary Position
8.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Valley
In South Valley, NM, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,066 (2026 est.). At $67,952, the local median is 8.58% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Valley: You'd be above the median
How South Valley Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
South Valley median: $67,952/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $70,199 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -8.58% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Valley, NM earn a median of $67,952 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.58% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.20% below the New Mexico state average of $70,199.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Valley 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.
South Valley, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,952 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,983 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,231
2025 BLS Actual
$66,095
2026 Current Est.
$67,952
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,231 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,538 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,432 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,736 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,259 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,992 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,095 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,952 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,862 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Valley metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $56,231 (2019) to $66,095 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,862 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,631 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Valley 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) | $47,160 – $60,495 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,495 – $67,952 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,952 – $74,614 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,614 – $83,226 |
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 South Valley
Currently, South Valley employs six occupational therapy assistants, a small number that suggests the market is somewhat tight. The cost of living index in the area is at 94.4, indicating that residents enjoy a slightly lower cost of living compared to national averages, which can positively influence take-home pay. Among the potential employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital rehab units typically offer the most competitive salaries, with outpatient clinics also providing opportunities, albeit with varied compensation. The disparity in pay rates is influenced by factors such as the productivity expectations and setting differences, particularly following the 15% reimbursement reduction for OTA services. Occupational therapy assistant pay in South Valley NM can be maximized by seeking positions in high-demand environments, negotiating contracts effectively, and considering year-round roles that might offer better annual compensation compared to school district contracts, which are typically seasonal.
More salary data for South Valley, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in South Valley, NM in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in South Valley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in South Valley?
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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 $66,095 for occupational therapy assistantsin the South Valley 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 South Valley 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