Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Taos, NM: $64,552 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Taos, NM earns a median $64,552/year (≈ $31.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Taos's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $68,381 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Taos, New Mexico, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 stands at $64,552. While this figure is below the national median of $74,332, it reflects the unique dynamics of local healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals. Salaries vary significantly in Taos, ranging from $49,280 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $74,384 at the upper end (90th percentile). The local estimates are drawn from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. Given the impact of the recent 15% Medicare cut on reimbursement for services provided by occupational therapy assistants, the job market in Taos may face competitive pressures, particularly in skilled nursing and outpatient settings, where job opportunities are currently limited.
About the Taos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,806 | $27.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,552 | $31.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,203 | $32.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,384 | $35.76 |
Median Salary Position
13.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Taos
In Taos, NM, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,104 (2026 est.). At $64,552, the local median is 13.16% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Taos: You'd be above the median
How Taos Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Taos median: $64,552/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Taos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $70,166 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -13.16% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Taos, NM earn a median of $64,552 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.16% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 8.00% below the New Mexico state average of $70,166.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Taos 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.
Taos, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,552 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,381 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,418
2025 BLS Actual
$62,788
2026 Current Est.
$64,552
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Taos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,418 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,659 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,609 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,797 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,194 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,791 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,788 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,552 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,366 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Taos metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,418 (2019) to $62,788 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,366 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,948 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Taos 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) | $49,280 – $56,806 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,806 – $64,552 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,552 – $68,203 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,203 – $74,384 |
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 Taos
Within the Taos NM job market, only four occupational therapy assistants are currently employed, indicating a niche yet growing profession. The cost of living index in Taos is 94.4, suggesting that local salaries provide a relatively moderate purchasing power compared to national averages. Among various employment settings, skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher pay compared to school district contracts and outpatient clinics. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to different productivity expectations, the structural divide in healthcare settings, and how the recent Medicare cuts affect compensation models. To maximize earnings, occupational therapy assistants should consider seeking opportunities within higher-paying institutions, pursuing further education, or bridging to a Master’s degree through COTA-to-MOT programs, capitalizing on potential pay increases in specialized roles in rehab hospitals or early intervention programs.
More salary data for Taos, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Taos?
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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 $62,788 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Taos 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 Taos 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