Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Austin, TX: $83,790 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Austin, TX earns a median $83,790/year (≈ $40.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $85,442 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Austin, TX, can expect a median annual salary of $83,790 in 2026, according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This figure positions Austin notably above the national median of $74,332, revealing a competitive market for occupational therapy assistant pay in Austin, TX. With a salary range from $83,790 at the 10th percentile to $98,595 at the 90th percentile, COTAs who pursue a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) could generate considerably higher lifetime earnings, reflecting the value of bridging educational pathways. This growing demand is buoyed by expected annual growth of 2.81% in the sector, emphasizing the favorable landscape for those entering the profession in Austin.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,790 | $40.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,790 | $40.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,790 | $40.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,595 | $47.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,595 | $47.40 |
Median Salary Position
12.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,805 (2026 est.). At $83,790, the local median is 12.72% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Austin Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Austin median: $83,790/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $78,309 | +7.00% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +12.72% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Austin, TX earn a median of $83,790 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.72% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 7.00% above the Texas state average of $78,309.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $83,790 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,442 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,920
2025 BLS Actual
$81,500
2026 Current Est.
$83,790
2019–2027 Growth
+28.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,790 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,145 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 21.8% from $66,920 (2019) to $81,500 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,145 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,225 (28.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $83,790 – $83,790 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,790 – $83,790 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,790 – $98,595 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,595 – $98,595 |
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 Austin
In Austin, approximately 1,190 occupational therapy assistants are employed across a variety of settings. The cost of living index, currently at 98.066, slightly below the national average, enhances the purchasing power of local salaries. Among the highest-paying employers are skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab programs, often offering more competitive compensation than school districts or outpatient clinics. Factors affecting salary ranges include workplace settings, productivity expectations, and the impacts of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting OTA services in outpatient and SNF contexts. COTAs looking to maximize their salaries should consider transitioning to higher-paying environments, pursuing advanced certifications, or seeking positions that offer weekend and PRN premiums, all of which can compound their overall earnings in the Austin job market.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Austin?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Austin?
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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 $81,500 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Austin 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