Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Pearland, TX: $77,619 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Pearland, TX earns a median $77,619/year (≈ $37.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Pearland's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $80,853 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Pearland, TX, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $77,619, which is slightly above the national average of $74,332 for the same year. The local salary range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at around $55,153 and the highest earners reaching up to $97,255 annually. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost differences, illustrate the competitive landscape for occupational therapy assistant pay in Pearland. For professionals considering advancing their careers through the COTA-to-MOT bridge pathway, this salary growth potential can lead to substantial lifetime earnings, underscoring the value of further education and skill development in the field.
About the Pearland Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,153 | $26.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,808 | $31.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,619 | $37.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,728 | $41.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,255 | $46.76 |
Median Salary Position
4.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pearland
In Pearland, TX, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,102 (2026 est.). At $77,619, the local median is 4.42% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pearland: You'd be above the median
How Pearland Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Pearland median: $77,619/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pearland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $78,324 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +4.42% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Pearland, TX earn a median of $77,619 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.42% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.90% below the Texas state average of $78,324.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pearland 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.
Pearland, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $77,619 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,853 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,231
2025 BLS Actual
$75,498
2026 Current Est.
$77,619
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Pearland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,231 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,724 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,092 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,974 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,307 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,498 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,619 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,801 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pearland metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $64,231 (2019) to $75,498 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,801 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,570 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pearland 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) | $55,153 – $65,808 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,808 – $77,619 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,619 – $85,728 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,728 – $97,255 |
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 Pearland
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Pearland is relatively strong, with 19 professionals actively employed in the area. The cost-of-living index at 96 suggests that living expenses are manageable, allowing for greater purchasing power from the median salary. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab programs tend to offer higher compensation. Variations in pay often correlate with setting and productivity expectations; for example, hospital roles may demand more intensive care and reward accordingly, especially during weekends or PRN shifts. Meanwhile, the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, which began in 2022, continues to compress wages in some settings like outpatient clinics. To maximize earning potential, COTAs in Pearland should consider strategic choices such as pursuing contracts with schools or seeking opportunities in more lucrative environments, fulfilling the demand for occupational therapy under different payment structures.
More salary data for Pearland, 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 $75,498 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Pearland 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 Pearland 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