Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Oklahoma: $69,773 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Oklahoma's 27 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $69,773/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because Oklahoma sits at BEA RPP 88.9 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $78,485 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Tulsa ($75,360), Oklahoma City ($65,840), Broken Arrow ($65,715).
In 2026, the average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in Oklahoma is projected to be $69,773, which is 6.1% lower than the national median of $74,332. The highest paying city in the state is Tulsa, where salaries are expected to reach $77,478, while the lowest is Sand Springs at $60,737, creating a salary gap of $16,741. This disparity can be attributed to factors like the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the presence of healthcare facilities in urban versus rural areas. Oklahoma has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that occupational therapy assistants must navigate, impacting job readiness and professionalism in the field. The demand for these professionals is driven by an aging population and increased awareness of therapeutic services, with a projected annual growth rate of 2.81% from 2025 according to BLS data. The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Oklahoma remains stable, with a total of 899 individuals employed in this role. Key cities with significant employment opportunities include Oklahoma City at $67,690, Broken Arrow at $67,562, and Norman at $66,975. As the healthcare industry evolves, the need for skilled occupational therapy assistants in this region is likely to persist.
Oklahoma Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Oklahoma: $43,797 (lowest entry-level) to $84,731 (highest top earner)
Oklahoma vs National Average
Oklahoma occupational therapy assistants earn 6.13% less than the national median ($-4,559/year difference).
Oklahoma Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Oklahoma range from $53,959 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $80,276 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $69,773. The Oklahoma median is $4,559 below the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $33.54/hr. Approximately 899 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 27 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$65,349
2025 BLS Actual
$67,866
2026 Current Est.
$69,773
2019–2027 Growth
+9.8%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oklahoma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,349 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,664 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,332 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,682 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,541 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,704 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,866 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,773 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,733 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oklahoma metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 3.9% from $65,349 (2019) to $67,866 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,733 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,384 (9.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oklahoma 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Oklahoma
Lowest Paying Cities in Oklahoma
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sand Springs | $60,737 |
| Ponca City | $61,393 |
| Durant | $61,865 |
| Del City | $62,133 |
| Sapulpa | $62,322 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oklahoma
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Oklahoma cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulsa | $77,478 | 89.214 | $86,845 |
| Broken Arrow | $67,562 | 88.9 | $75,998 |
| Norman | $66,975 | 88.9 | $75,337 |
| Oklahoma City | $67,690 | 90.408 | $74,872 |
| Enid | $66,082 | 88.9 | $74,333 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Oklahoma
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $53,959 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $69,773 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $80,276 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Oklahoma metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 27 Cities in Oklahoma
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tulsa | $77,478 |
| 2 | Oklahoma City | $67,690 |
| 3 | Broken Arrow | $67,562 |
| 4 | Norman | $66,975 |
| 5 | Enid | $66,082 |
| 6 | Moore | $66,077 |
| 7 | Midwest City | $65,488 |
| 8 | Yukon | $65,265 |
| 9 | Lawton | $65,030 |
| 10 | Bartlesville | $64,830 |
| 11 | Owasso | $64,419 |
| 12 | Muskogee | $64,353 |
| 13 | Stillwater | $64,282 |
| 14 | Shawnee | $64,219 |
| 15 | Edmond | $63,784 |
| 16 | Tahlequah | $63,436 |
| 17 | Bixby | $63,337 |
| 18 | Jenks | $63,098 |
| 19 | Claremore | $62,964 |
| 20 | Altus | $62,650 |
| 21 | Ardmore | $62,537 |
| 22 | Bethany | $62,536 |
| 23 | Sapulpa | $62,322 |
| 24 | Del City | $62,133 |
| 25 | Durant | $61,865 |
| 26 | Ponca City | $61,393 |
| 27 | Sand Springs | $60,737 |
More Oklahoma Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Oklahoma cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new occupational therapy assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Compare Cities in Oklahoma
View all comparisons →Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Oklahoma in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Oklahoma?
How does Oklahoma occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Oklahoma?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Oklahoma?
Which Oklahoma city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across Oklahoma. State averages are employment-weighted across 27 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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