Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Richardson, TX: $79,290 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Richardson, TX earns a median $79,290/year (≈ $38.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Richardson's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $82,594 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average compensation for an occupational therapy assistant salary in Richardson, TX is projected to be $79,290 annually, demonstrating a robust earning potential that surpasses the national median of $74,332 by 6.67%. Local estimates reveal that salaries range from $52,829 at the 10th percentile to as high as $97,627 at the 90th percentile. This favorable salary position can be attributed to the diverse working environments available to occupational therapy assistants, which include skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals. However, the occupational landscape has been influenced by recent Medicare cuts, affecting the balance of opportunities available in these settings and shaping the local job market dynamics for COTAs in Richardson.
About the Richardson Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,829 | $25.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,214 | $33.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,290 | $38.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,612 | $41.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,627 | $46.93 |
Median Salary Position
6.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richardson
In Richardson, TX, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,798 (2026 est.). At $79,290, the local median is 6.67% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Richardson: You'd be above the median
How Richardson Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Richardson median: $79,290/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richardson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $78,350 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +6.67% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Richardson, TX earn a median of $79,290 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.67% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.20% above the Texas state average of $78,350.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richardson 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.
Richardson, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $79,290 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,594 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,613
2025 BLS Actual
$77,123
2026 Current Est.
$79,290
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Richardson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,613 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,139 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,848 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,536 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,864 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,123 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,290 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,518 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richardson metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $65,613 (2019) to $77,123 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,518 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,905 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richardson 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) | $52,829 – $69,214 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,214 – $79,290 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,290 – $86,612 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,612 – $97,627 |
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 Richardson
With 24 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in the area, Richardson's job market reflects a growing demand for skilled professionals, albeit tempered by the regional cost of living index of 96. This index suggests a slightly lower overall cost of living compared to the national average, thereby enhancing the purchasing power of occupational therapy assistant pay in Richardson, TX. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation units tend to offer the highest wages due to their more demanding productivity expectations. Conversely, school district contracts may offer less but provide work-life balance advantages, especially with school-year contracts. To maximize earnings in this market, COTAs should consider seeking positions in the highest-paying settings and remain adaptable to the shifts caused by ongoing Medicare adjustments, thus strategically positioning themselves for better job prospects and compensation packages.
More salary data for Richardson, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Richardson, TX in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Richardson?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Richardson?
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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 $77,123 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Richardson 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 Richardson 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