OT Assistant Salary

Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Texarkana, TX: $81,960 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Texarkana, TX earns a median $81,960/year (โ‰ˆ $39.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Texarkana's price level (16% below national, BEA RPP 84.0), that paycheck buys what $97,557 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% above the Texas state average.

$81,960
Median Annual Salary
$39.41/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$64,133
Entry Level (P10)
$89,414
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data ยท View source

Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Texarkana, TX โ€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Texarkana, TX occupational therapy assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

With a projected median annual salary of $81,960 in 2026, the compensation package for occupational therapy assistants in Texarkana, TX, is notably competitive, particularly when compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary ranges from $64,133 at the lower 10th percentile to $89,414 at the higher 90th percentile, showcasing a rewarding opportunity for skilled practitioners in the region. These figures are drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, emphasizing the significant demand for occupational therapy assistants in local healthcare settings. Factors such as visits-per-day and overall productivity expectations play a crucial role in determining individual earnings, suggesting that professionals who can manage a higher volume of patients may find enhanced financial benefits in Texarkana's job market.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$64,133$30.83
Lower Range (P25)$73,540$35.36
Median (P50)(typical)$81,960$39.41
Upper Range (P75)$89,414$42.98
Top Earners (P90)$89,414$42.98

Median Salary Position

$64,133$89,414
City Median: $81,960
National: $74,332
P10โ€“P90 Range

10.26% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Texarkana

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for occupational therapy assistants in Texarkana. The median salary is $81,960, compared to the national median of $74,332.$57.7K$66.8K$75.8K$84.8K$93.9K$64.1K10th Pctl$73.5K25th Pctl$82.0KMedian$89.4K75th Pctl$89.4K90th PctlUS Median$74.3K

In Texarkana, TX, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,281 (2026 est.). At $81,960, the local median is 10.26% above the national median of $74,332.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of occupational therapy assistant pay in the Texarkana metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,576
per week
$6,831
per month
$81,967
per year

At 40 hours/week in Texarkana: You'd be above the median

How Texarkana Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares

Texarkana median: $81,960/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryTexarkana Pays
Texas Average$78,356+4.60% more
National Average$74,332+10.26% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing occupational therapy assistant median salary in Texarkana ($81,960) with Texas average ($78,356) and the US national median ($74,332).Texarkana$81,960Texas Avg$78,356+4.60%US National$74,332+10.26%

Occupational Therapy Assistants in Texarkana, TX earn a median of $81,960 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.26% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 4.60% above the Texas state average of $78,356.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$81,960
Nominal Salary
84.012
CoL Index
$97,557
Adjusted Salary

Texarkana has a cost of living 15.99% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal ร— (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $81,960. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 84.012, the purchasing-power equivalent is $97,557, a gain of $15,597.$63.2K$75.4K$87.7K$99.9K$112.2K$81,960NominalSalary$97,557CoL Adjusted(CoL: 84.012)โ–ฒ 19.03%US Median $74.3K

Texarkana, TX has a cost-of-living index of 84.012 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $81,960 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,557 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 19.03% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$67,823

2025 BLS Actual

$79,720

2026 Current Est.

$81,960

2019โ€“2027 Growth

+24.2%

Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Texarkana (2019โ€“2027)

2019โ€“2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for occupational therapy assistants in Texarkana. Baseline $67,823 in 2025, projected to $84,263 by 2027.$64.5K$70.3K$76.2K$82.1K$88.0K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$67.8K$69.4K$68.1K$84.7K$71.4K$75.1K$79.7K$82.0K$84.3K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$67,823Actual
2020$69,399Actual
2021$68,065Actual
2022$84,660Actual
2023$71,370Actual
2024$75,100Actual
2025$79,720Actual
2026(current)$81,960Estimated
2027$84,263Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Texarkana metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $67,823 (2019) to $79,720 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,263 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $16,440 (24.24%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Texarkana metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ€“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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$64,133 โ€“ $73,540
3-5 years (Mid Career)$73,540 โ€“ $81,960
5+ years (Experienced)$81,960 โ€“ $89,414
10+ years (Top Earner)$89,414 โ€“ $89,414

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 Texarkana

Within Texarkana, the local job market for occupational therapy assistants remains robust, with 40 dedicated professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 84.012, indicating that residents enjoy a purchasing power advantage compared to national averages. Employers in skilled nursing facilities, hospital inpatient rehab, and specialty outpatient clinics typically offer the highest salaries within the market. Variability in pay can be attributed to multiple factors, including work settings and productivity expectations, where hospital roles often compensate more generously than school-based positions. As the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut continues to affect compensation dynamics, those seeking to maximize their pay may consider diversifying their work settings or taking on PRN opportunities to supplement their income effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Texarkana, TX in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median occupational therapy assistant salary in Texarkana is $81,960/year ($39.41/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.81% annual growth). Salaries range from $64,133 at entry level (10th percentile) to $89,414 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Texarkana at 10.3% above the national median. Full-time occupational therapy assistants typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Texarkana, TX a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?

Texarkana occupational therapy assistant salaries are 10.3% above the national average and 4.6% above the Texas state average. The metro area employs approximately 40 occupational therapy assistants. With a cost-of-living index of 84.012, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Texarkana?

The median occupational therapy assistant salary in Texarkana is $81,960, and the 90th percentile earns $89,414. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Texarkana?

After adjusting for Texarkana's cost-of-living index of 84.012 (where 100 equals the national average), the $81,960 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $97,557 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 19.0% further in Texarkana compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for occupational therapy assistants seeking strong real wages.

How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Texarkana?

Occupational Therapy Assistants in Texarkana earn a median hourly rate of $39.41, which translates to approximately $81,960/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $30.83 for entry-level positions to $42.98 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem occupational therapy assistants sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

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 $79,720 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Texarkana 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 (P10โ€“P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (โ€“). 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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov

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