Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Ponca City, OK: $61,393 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Ponca City, OK earns a median $61,393/year (≈ $29.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Ponca City's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $69,058 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ponca City, the value of occupational therapy assistants is underscored by the projected median annual salary of $61,393 for 2026. This figure reflects a compensation range where entry-level positions can start around $48,148, while more experienced professionals may earn up to $71,860. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, provide insight into local earning potential despite a national median of $74,332, indicating a noticeable gap. However, the local job market is defined by the productivity expectations and efficiency of visits per day, which influence compensation mechanisms, making it essential for COTAs to optimize their workflow in Ponca City.
About the Ponca City Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,148 | $23.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,762 | $26.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,393 | $29.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,556 | $31.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,860 | $34.54 |
Median Salary Position
17.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ponca City
In Ponca City, OK, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,712 (2026 est.). At $61,393, the local median is 17.41% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ponca City: You'd be above the median
How Ponca City Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Ponca City median: $61,393/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ponca City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $66,085 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -17.41% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ponca City, OK earn a median of $61,393 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.41% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.10% below the Oklahoma state average of $66,085.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ponca City has a cost of living 11.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ponca City, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $61,393 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,058 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,803
2025 BLS Actual
$59,715
2026 Current Est.
$61,393
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ponca City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,803 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,984 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,985 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,066 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,346 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,512 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,715 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,393 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,118 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ponca City metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $50,803 (2019) to $59,715 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,118 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,315 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ponca 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) | $48,148 – $54,762 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,762 – $61,393 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,393 – $65,556 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,556 – $71,860 |
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 Ponca City
Analyzing the job market in Ponca City reveals a modest number of employed occupational therapy assistants, with only four reported in the area. The cost of living index stands at 88.9, which suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power for residents is relatively favorable. Among various employment settings, skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher pay compared to schools or outpatient clinics. The disparity in salaries is affected by factors such as weekend shift premiums, productivity-based compensation, and the ongoing impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut since 2022. For those considering a career as an occupational therapy assistant in Ponca City, seeking positions in higher-paying environments like inpatient rehab or early intervention can enhance earnings significantly. Additionally, understanding contracting nuances and embracing continuing education pathways like the COTA-to-MOT bridge can provide further career advancement opportunities.
More salary data for Ponca City, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Ponca City, OK in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Ponca City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Ponca 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 $59,715 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Ponca 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
Salary data for Ponca City 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