Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Copperas Cove, TX: $75,719 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Copperas Cove, TX earns a median $75,719/year (≈ $36.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Copperas Cove's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $78,874 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Copperas Cove, TX can anticipate an annual compensation of approximately $75,719 in 2026, positioning them slightly above the national median of $74,332. The salary range in the area extends from $58,585 at the 10th percentile to $92,679 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied responsibilities and productivity expectations inherent in this field. These projections are derived from 2025 BLS data adapted for local living costs, alongside regional price parity considerations. Understanding the dynamics of the Copperas Cove job market reveals that earning potential for occupational therapy assistants is influenced by the volume of patient visits each day, with higher workloads often correlating with increased pay and job satisfaction.
About the Copperas Cove Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,585 | $28.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,571 | $31.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,719 | $36.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,877 | $39.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,679 | $44.56 |
Median Salary Position
1.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Copperas Cove
In Copperas Cove, TX, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,094 (2026 est.). At $75,719, the local median is 1.87% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Copperas Cove: You'd be above the median
How Copperas Cove Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Copperas Cove median: $75,719/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Copperas Cove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $78,303 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +1.87% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Copperas Cove, TX earn a median of $75,719 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.87% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.30% below the Texas state average of $78,303.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Copperas Cove 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.
Copperas Cove, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $75,719 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,874 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,658
2025 BLS Actual
$73,649
2026 Current Est.
$75,719
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Copperas Cove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,658 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,114 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,882 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,449 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,536 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,649 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,719 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,846 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Copperas Cove metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $62,658 (2019) to $73,649 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,846 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,188 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Copperas Cove 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) | $58,585 – $65,571 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,571 – $75,719 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,719 – $82,877 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,877 – $92,679 |
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 Copperas Cove
The local job market shows a modest presence of seven occupational therapy assistants currently employed, a number that suggests steady demand for skilled professionals. With a cost-of-living index pegged at 96, slightly below the national average, this environment can allow for a favorable take-home purchasing power. Among the industry's various settings, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics typically offer the most competitive wages. Factors influencing pay disparities in Copperas Cove include the type of facility, productivity requirements, and even the impact of Medicare’s 15% reimbursement cut since 2022. To maximize earnings, occupational therapy assistants may benefit from targeting employment in higher-paying settings, considering supplemental education through COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways, and exploring opportunities for weekend or PRN shifts which often feature increased pay rates.
More salary data for Copperas Cove, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Copperas Cove, TX in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Copperas Cove?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Copperas Cove?
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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 $73,649 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Copperas Cove 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 Copperas Cove 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