Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $57,759 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Sioux Falls, SD earns a median $57,759/year (≈ $27.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Sioux Falls's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.6), that paycheck buys what $63,730 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.3% below the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, occupational therapy assistants can expect a median annual salary of $57,759 in 2026, a figure that reflects the economic changes post-Medicare cuts affecting the healthcare sector. The salary range for this occupation is projected to fall between $47,622 (10th percentile) and $75,925 (90th percentile), highlighting the variance in compensation based on experience, setting, and employer types. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, shows that while salaries can trend lower in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) post-cut, opportunities in hospital inpatient rehab and outpatient clinics tend to offer better pay structures. As the healthcare system in Sioux Falls adjusts to these dynamics, understanding the specific factors influencing local compensation becomes crucial for aspiring occupational therapy assistants.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,622 | $22.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,832 | $23.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,759 | $27.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,123 | $28.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,925 | $36.51 |
Median Salary Position
22.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux Falls
In Sioux Falls, SD, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,303 (2026 est.). At $57,759, the local median is 22.3% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sioux Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sioux Falls Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Sioux Falls median: $57,759/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $69,007 | -16.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -22.30% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $57,759 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.30% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 16.30% below the South Dakota state average of $69,007.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux Falls has a cost of living 9.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sioux Falls, SD has a cost-of-living index of 90.631 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $57,759 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,730 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,670
2025 BLS Actual
$56,180
2026 Current Est.
$57,759
2019–2027 Growth
+61.9%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,967 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,925 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,069 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,759 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,382 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 53.2% from $36,670 (2019) to $56,180 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,382 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,712 (61.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls 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) | $47,622 – $49,832 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,832 – $57,759 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,759 – $60,123 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,123 – $75,925 |
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 Sioux Falls
Analyzing the local market, only 40 occupational therapy assistants are currently employed in Sioux Falls, which suggests a smaller but focused job landscape. The cost of living index in the area stands at 90.631, indicating that while salaries may be lower than national averages, the purchasing power is somewhat preserved for those working here. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities provide lower compensation on average, while inpatient rehabilitation centers and school districts could yield higher pay. Disparities in earnings are driven by multiple factors, including productivity expectations and the implications of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on occupational therapy practices. To maximize earnings, COTAs should consider diverse employment settings, exploring year-round contracts and looking for PRN opportunities that often offer premiums. Exploring advanced pathways such as COTA-to-MOT bridges can also enhance long-term earning potential in the Sioux Falls market.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Sioux Falls, SD in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Sioux Falls?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Sioux Falls?
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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 $56,180 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Sioux Falls 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, 4-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