Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in North Richland Hills, TX: $75,878 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in North Richland Hills, TX earns a median $75,878/year (≈ $36.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in North Richland Hills's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $79,040 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in North Richland Hills, Texas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $75,878 in 2026. This figure represents a slight increase over the national median salary of $74,332, illustrating a competitive local employment environment. Salary estimates range from $54,751 at the 10th percentile to $93,003 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad spectrum of earnings potential within this profession. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, reflecting the unique economic conditions of North Richland Hills. Effective compensation is often shaped by the number of therapy visits a COTA can manage daily, making the job market particularly responsive to productivity expectations.
About the North Richland Hills Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,751 | $26.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,878 | $36.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,681 | $39.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,003 | $44.71 |
Median Salary Position
2.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Richland Hills
In North Richland Hills, TX, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,252 (2026 est.). At $75,878, the local median is 2.08% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Richland Hills: You'd be above the median
How North Richland Hills Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
North Richland Hills median: $75,878/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Richland Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $78,305 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +2.08% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in North Richland Hills, TX earn a median of $75,878 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.08% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.10% below the Texas state average of $78,305.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Richland Hills 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.
North Richland Hills, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $75,878 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,040 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,790
2025 BLS Actual
$73,804
2026 Current Est.
$75,878
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in North Richland Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,249 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,014 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,587 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,404 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,685 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,804 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,878 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,010 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Richland Hills metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $62,790 (2019) to $73,804 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,010 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,220 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Richland Hills 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) | $54,751 – $63,070 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,070 – $75,878 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,878 – $82,681 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,681 – $93,003 |
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 North Richland Hills
In the North Richland Hills job market, there are currently 17 occupational therapy assistants contributing to local healthcare facilities. With a cost-of-living index of 96, affordability plays a significant role in determining take-home pay. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs tend to offer the highest salaries compared to outpatient clinics and school district contracts, where funding constraints may limit pay. Several factors drive the disparity in salaries, including setting (where hospitals generally pay more than schools), the effects of productivity expectations, and recent changes such as the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut impacting services provided by COTAs. To enhance earning potential in this area, it is advisable for COTAs to seek positions in high-paying settings or consider working PRN on weekends, which can yield premium wages. Additionally, bridging the gap to a Master’s in Occupational Therapy may open up further opportunities for growth and higher compensation over time.
More salary data for North Richland Hills, 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 $73,804 for occupational therapy assistantsin the North Richland Hills 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 North Richland Hills 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