Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Cedar Hill, TX: $77,432 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Cedar Hill, TX earns a median $77,432/year (≈ $37.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Cedar Hill's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $80,658 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Hill, TX, the projected occupational therapy assistant salary is approximately $77,432 for 2026, reflecting a growth of 4.17% above the national median of $74,332. The salary range spans from $56,406 at the 10th percentile to $93,395 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the variance based on experience, setting, and productivity expectations. These projections are adjusted based on state-level data and local cost considerations, with Cedar Hill showcasing a beneficial environment for occupational therapy assistants compared to many regions. The demand within the job market, particularly in outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities, suggests competitive hiring to attract qualified COTAs, which may drive salaries upward as productivity remains key.
About the Cedar Hill Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,406 | $27.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,188 | $31.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,432 | $37.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,911 | $40.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,395 | $44.90 |
Median Salary Position
4.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Hill
In Cedar Hill, TX, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,989 (2026 est.). At $77,432, the local median is 4.17% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Cedar Hill: You'd be above the median
How Cedar Hill Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Cedar Hill median: $77,432/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $78,294 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +4.17% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cedar Hill, TX earn a median of $77,432 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.17% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.10% below the Texas state average of $78,294.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Hill has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Hill, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $77,432 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,658 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,076
2025 BLS Actual
$75,316
2026 Current Est.
$77,432
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cedar Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,076 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,566 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,305 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,805 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,133 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,316 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,432 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,608 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Hill metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $64,076 (2019) to $75,316 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,608 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,532 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Hill 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) | $56,406 – $66,188 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,188 – $77,432 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,432 – $83,911 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,911 – $93,395 |
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 Cedar Hill
Despite having only eight occupational therapy assistants currently employed in the area, Cedar Hill's cost of living index at 96 indicates a slightly lower cost than the national average. This reality can enhance take-home purchasing power for COTAs compared to many urban centers. Among local employers, those in hospital inpatient rehabilitation often offer higher wages than positions within educational settings due to greater productivity expectations and specialized service needs. Factors contributing to variations in pay include the ongoing impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, the work environment (with inpatient and outpatient settings generally surpassing skilled nursing facilities), and contract structures that can vary across different contracts. To maximize earning potential, COTAs may consider seeking employment in high-paying settings or specializing in a niche area that offers greater demand while negotiating wage and benefits, particularly for weekend or PRN shifts.
More salary data for Cedar Hill, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Cedar Hill, TX in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Cedar Hill?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Cedar Hill?
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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 $75,316 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Cedar Hill 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 Cedar Hill 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