Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Brownsville, TX: $74,219 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Brownsville, TX earns a median $74,219/year (≈ $35.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Brownsville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.0), that paycheck buys what $86,326 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in Brownsville, Texas, is projected to be $74,219, aligning closely with the national median of $74,332. This figure represents a range from $55,219 at the lower tenth percentile to $88,077 at the upper ninetieth percentile, as derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. The structural divide among care settings—namely skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and schools—plays a significant role in shaping compensation dynamics, especially in light of recent Medicare cuts that have impacted reimbursement rates. With these factors in mind, Brownsville's job market presents distinct challenges and opportunities for occupational therapy assistants navigating various employment environments, particularly in the aftermath of the 15% Medicare Part B cut affecting OTA-provided services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,219 | $26.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,284 | $33.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,219 | $35.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,714 | $37.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,077 | $42.35 |
Median Salary Position
0.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brownsville
In Brownsville, TX, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,858 (2026 est.). At $74,219, the local median is 0.15% below the national median of $74,332.
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How Brownsville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Brownsville median: $74,219/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brownsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $78,290 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -0.15% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Brownsville, TX earn a median of $74,219 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.15% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.20% below the Texas state average of $78,290.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brownsville has a cost of living 14.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brownsville, TX has a cost-of-living index of 85.975 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $74,219 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,326 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.31% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,000
2025 BLS Actual
$72,190
2026 Current Est.
$74,219
2019–2027 Growth
+7.5%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Brownsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,219 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,304 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brownsville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 1.7% from $71,000 (2019) to $72,190 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,304 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,304 (7.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brownsville 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) | $55,219 – $69,284 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,284 – $74,219 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,219 – $77,714 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,714 – $88,077 |
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 Brownsville
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Brownsville consists of around 80 professionals, indicating a moderately sized local workforce. The cost of living index, which stands at 85.975, suggests that while salaries are competitive, the actual take-home pay may be more favorable due to lower living costs compared to national averages. In this market, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab tend to offer the highest pay relative to school district contracts and outpatient clinics, primarily driven by productivity expectations and the demands of patient care. The variance in occupational therapy assistant pay in Brownsville, TX, is influenced by the prevailing work setting, the premium for weekend or PRN work, and the impact of seasonal contracts in educational environments. To maximize earning potential, aspiring COTAs should consider focusing on employment opportunities in higher-paying sectors and seek roles that sustain year-round engagement, thereby mitigating the effect of local economic fluctuations.
More salary data for Brownsville, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $72,190 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Brownsville 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