Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Little Elm, TX: $75,998 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Little Elm, TX earns a median $75,998/year (≈ $36.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Little Elm's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $79,165 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected compensation for occupational therapy assistants in Little Elm, Texas, is estimated to reach $75,998 annually, which is slightly above the national median of $74,332. Salary ranges for this profession show significant variation, with entry-level positions starting at $52,994 (P10) and experienced professionals potentially earning up to $88,881 (P90). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price differences, highlight the local demand for skilled therapy assistants. For those considering a career path in Little Elm, understanding the potential for advancing from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master’s Occupational Therapist (MOT) can significantly impact lifetime earnings, making this a lucrative pathway in the growing healthcare field.
About the Little Elm Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,994 | $25.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,843 | $32.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,998 | $36.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,662 | $38.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,881 | $42.73 |
Median Salary Position
2.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Elm
In Little Elm, TX, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,887 (2026 est.). At $75,998, the local median is 2.24% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Little Elm: You'd be above the median
How Little Elm Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Little Elm median: $75,998/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Elm Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $78,349 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +2.24% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Little Elm, TX earn a median of $75,998 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.24% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.00% below the Texas state average of $78,349.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Elm 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.
Little Elm, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $75,998 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,165 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,889
2025 BLS Actual
$73,921
2026 Current Est.
$75,998
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Little Elm (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,889 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,351 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,114 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,691 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,512 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,797 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,921 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,998 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,134 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Elm metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $62,889 (2019) to $73,921 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,134 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,245 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Elm 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) | $52,994 – $67,843 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,843 – $75,998 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,998 – $80,662 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,662 – $88,881 |
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 Little Elm
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Little Elm currently employs 12 professionals, indicating a niche but stable demand within the community. The local cost-of-living index stands at 96, suggesting that salaries here allow for reasonable purchasing power when compared to national averages. Among various employment settings, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest compensation, especially when accounting for weekend or PRN work scenarios. Pay disparity is influenced by the differences in productivity expectations and funding cuts, notably the 15% reduction in Medicare reimbursements for OTA services established in 2022, which has affected compensation structures in settings like skilled nursing and outpatient clinics. To maximize earnings, it is advisable for occupational therapy assistants in Little Elm to consider roles in higher-paying environments and seek continuing education or transition into an MOT program, thus enhancing their skill set and potential for increased income within the competitive landscape of healthcare.
More salary data for Little Elm, 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 $73,921 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Little Elm 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 Little Elm 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