Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in San Antonio, TX: $81,467 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in San Antonio, TX earns a median $81,467/year (≈ $39.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in San Antonio's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $86,012 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual compensation of $81,467 for 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in San Antonio reflects a competitive market, especially when considering the national median of $74,332. The full salary range for occupational therapy assistants in the area spans from $65,367 at the 10th percentile to $96,508 at the 90th percentile. Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, this data highlights the positive growth and demand in this field, which is essential for professionals who understand the local healthcare landscape. Given the vibrant healthcare ecosystem in San Antonio, there's a strong expectation for productivity, with visits per day significantly impacting compensation and job satisfaction.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,367 | $31.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,863 | $38.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,467 | $39.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,088 | $42.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,508 | $46.40 |
Median Salary Position
9.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Antonio
In San Antonio, TX, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,141 (2026 est.). At $81,467, the local median is 9.6% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in San Antonio: You'd be above the median
How San Antonio Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
San Antonio median: $81,467/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Antonio Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $78,333 | +4.00% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +9.60% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in San Antonio, TX earn a median of $81,467 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.60% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 4.00% above the Texas state average of $78,333.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Antonio has a cost of living 5.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Antonio, TX has a cost-of-living index of 94.716 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $81,467 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,012 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.58% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,390
2025 BLS Actual
$79,240
2026 Current Est.
$81,467
2019–2027 Growth
+59.9%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in San Antonio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,467 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,756 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Antonio metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 51.3% from $52,390 (2019) to $79,240 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,756 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,366 (59.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Antonio 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) | $65,367 – $79,863 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,863 – $81,467 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,467 – $88,088 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,088 – $96,508 |
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 San Antonio
San Antonio currently employs around 420 occupational therapy assistants, indicating a robust local job market supported by various healthcare settings. With a cost-of-living index of 94.716, professionals in this city may enjoy a better purchasing power compared to many other regions. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab units typically offer the highest pay for occupational therapy assistants, often exceeding those in outpatient clinics and school districts. The variance in wages can be attributed to several factors, including weekend and PRN rates, as well as the ongoing effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut implemented in 2022, which has influenced payment scales. To maximize earnings in this specific San Antonio market, aspiring or current occupational therapy assistants should consider pursuing positions in higher-paying settings, enhancing their skills, and exploring opportunities for bridge programs such as COTA-to-MOT pathways, while staying updated through resources like AOTA and NBCOT.
More salary data for San Antonio, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in San Antonio, TX in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in San Antonio?
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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 $79,240 for occupational therapy assistantsin the San Antonio 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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