Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Oklahoma City, OK: $67,690 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Oklahoma City, OK earns a median $67,690/year (≈ $32.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Oklahoma City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $74,872 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the Oklahoma state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Oklahoma City is projected to be $67,690. This figure positions the city slightly below the national median of $74,332, indicating an approximate 8.94% difference. The full salary range for this role spans from a lower percentile of $53,852 to a higher percentile of $78,886. Data compiled from official BLS OEWS surveys reflects the ongoing division across various occupational settings, notably skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), school districts, and hospital environments. The recent Medicare reimbursement cuts have particularly impacted salary structures for COTAs in SNFs and outpatient clinics, challenging job prospects against a backdrop of rising healthcare costs in the Oklahoma City market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,852 | $25.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,103 | $28.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,690 | $32.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,275 | $36.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,886 | $37.93 |
Median Salary Position
8.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oklahoma City
In Oklahoma City, OK, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,034 (2026 est.). At $67,690, the local median is 8.94% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Oklahoma City: You'd be above the median
How Oklahoma City Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Oklahoma City median: $67,690/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oklahoma City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $66,104 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -8.94% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oklahoma City, OK earn a median of $67,690 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.94% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.40% above the Oklahoma state average of $66,104.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oklahoma City has a cost of living 9.59% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oklahoma City, OK has a cost-of-living index of 90.408 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,690 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,872 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,700
2025 BLS Actual
$65,840
2026 Current Est.
$67,690
2019–2027 Growth
+16.6%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oklahoma City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,690 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,592 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 10.3% from $59,700 (2019) to $65,840 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,592 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,892 (16.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oklahoma City 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) | $53,852 – $60,103 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,103 – $67,690 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,690 – $76,275 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,275 – $78,886 |
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 Oklahoma City
Turning to the local job market, approximately 420 occupational therapy assistants operate within the Oklahoma City area. This number suggests a moderate demand, although the cost of living index of 90.408 indicates that take-home salaries may afford a comfortable lifestyle compared to national averages. Among different employment settings, hospital inpatient rehabilitation positions tend to offer higher compensation, likely driven by rigorous productivity expectations and the continued need for skilled rehabilitation services post-Medicare cuts. The compensation spread can reflect various factors, including the competitiveness of private practices compared to school district contracts or home health agencies. For those looking to optimize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Oklahoma City, targeting hospital roles, contemplating year-round contracts over school-year positions, and being flexible with hours—including weekends—can enhance earnings potential in this evolving field.
More salary data for Oklahoma City, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Oklahoma City, OK in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Oklahoma City?
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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 $65,840 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Oklahoma City 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
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