Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Port Arthur, TX: $86,878 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Port Arthur, TX earns a median $86,878/year (≈ $41.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Port Arthur's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $90,498 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.9% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Port Arthur is projected to reach a median of $86,878, which is a notable increase compared to the national median of $74,332. Local salaries fall within a range, with the lowest earners (P10) making $61,900 and the highest (P90) earning up to $105,498. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living factors. The overall job market in Port Arthur shows promise for occupational therapy assistants, especially for those considering the COTA-to-MOT pathway to enhance their career potential and lifetime earnings in this growing field.
About the Port Arthur Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,900 | $29.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,523 | $35.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,878 | $41.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,074 | $45.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,498 | $50.72 |
Median Salary Position
16.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Port Arthur
In Port Arthur, TX, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,598 (2026 est.). At $86,878, the local median is 16.88% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Port Arthur: You'd be above the median
How Port Arthur Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Port Arthur median: $86,878/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Port Arthur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $78,339 | +10.90% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +16.88% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Port Arthur, TX earn a median of $86,878 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.88% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 10.90% above the Texas state average of $78,339.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Port Arthur 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.
Port Arthur, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $86,878 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,498 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,892
2025 BLS Actual
$84,503
2026 Current Est.
$86,878
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Port Arthur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,892 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,563 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,149 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,094 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,886 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,503 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,878 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,319 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Port Arthur metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $71,892 (2019) to $84,503 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,319 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,427 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Port Arthur 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) | $61,900 – $73,523 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,523 – $86,878 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,878 – $94,074 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,074 – $105,498 |
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 Port Arthur
With 12 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Port Arthur, the local job market demonstrates a modest opportunity within the healthcare sector. The cost-of-living index of 96 indicates that living expenses are slightly below the national average, which can positively influence the purchasing power of these salaries. Employers that tend to pay the highest rates include skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab, where productivity expectations and weekend or PRN premiums can lead to significant salary variation. Additionally, the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut enacted in 2022 reverberates across settings, compressing pay particularly in skilled nursing and outpatient environments. To optimize earnings in Port Arthur, occupational therapy assistants should consider securing positions that offer year-round contracts or explore opportunities for advanced certification to enhance their competitive edge.
More salary data for Port Arthur, 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 $84,503 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Port Arthur 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 Port Arthur 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