Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Waco, TX: $79,338 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Waco, TX earns a median $79,338/year (≈ $38.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Waco's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $85,724 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Waco, Texas, can expect a competitive median annual salary of $79,338 in 2026, a figure that outpaces the national median by 6.73%. With salaries ranging from $62,611 at the lower 10th percentile to $93,434 at the 90th percentile, the opportunities for financial advancement in this role are promising. These insights are drawn from BLS OEWS surveys reflecting the evolving dynamics of the local job market. The potential to bridge from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master’s level Occupational Therapist (MOT) offers practitioners an avenue to enhance their earning potential over time, further emphasizing the significance of professional development in this growing field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,611 | $30.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,486 | $35.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,338 | $38.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,528 | $41.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,434 | $44.92 |
Median Salary Position
6.73% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waco
In Waco, TX, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,823 (2026 est.). At $79,338, the local median is 6.73% above the national median of $74,332.
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How Waco Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Waco median: $79,338/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $78,320 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +6.73% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Waco, TX earn a median of $79,338 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.73% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.30% above the Texas state average of $78,320.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waco has a cost of living 7.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waco, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $79,338 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,724 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,020
2025 BLS Actual
$77,170
2026 Current Est.
$79,338
2019–2027 Growth
+13.3%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,338 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,568 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waco metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 7.2% from $72,020 (2019) to $77,170 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,568 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,548 (13.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waco 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) | $62,611 – $74,486 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,486 – $79,338 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,338 – $85,528 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,528 – $93,434 |
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 Waco
The local job market in Waco employs around 50 occupational therapy assistants, providing a solid foundation for career prospects. With a cost-of-living index of 92.55, professionals can enjoy an enhanced purchasing power in comparison to larger metropolitan areas, contributing to a favorable standard of living. Among various sectors, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation units tend to offer the highest rates of compensation, reflecting the more demanding clinical settings. The disparity in wages can also stem from different productivity expectations, potential weekend premiums, and annual versus school-year contract arrangements. Moreover, the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services has influenced payment structures industry-wide. For those seeking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Waco, targeting opportunities in higher-paying environments and pursuing additional qualifications, such as the COTA-to-MOT bridge, can significantly enhance both earnings and career satisfaction.
More salary data for Waco, 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 $77,170 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Waco 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, 6-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