Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Utah: $69,979 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Utah's 41 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $69,979/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because Utah sits at BEA RPP 98.1 (2% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,334 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: West Jordan ($72,062), West Valley City ($71,948), Sandy ($71,804).
In 2026, the average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in Utah is projected to be $69,979, which is 5.9% lower than the national median of $74,332. Within the state, there are significant salary differences between cities. West Jordan offers the highest salary at $74,087, while Lehi presents the lowest at $61,750, resulting in a gap of $12,337. This disparity may be influenced by factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services in the area, and local market saturation. Utah's specific factors affecting occupational therapy assistants include state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that generally align with national standards. The demand for occupational therapy services continues to grow, driven by an aging population and increased emphasis on rehabilitation services. In fact, the state has a projected annual growth rate of 2.81%, suggesting steady job market expansion. Overall, there are about 597 occupational therapy assistants employed in Utah, with top earning cities being West Jordan, West Valley City at $73,970, Sandy at $73,822, Murray at $73,735, and Salt Lake City at $73,427. The outlook for this profession in Utah appears encouraging, given the positive growth rate and ongoing demand.
Utah Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Utah: $41,114 (lowest entry-level) to $115,260 (highest top earner)
Utah vs National Average
Utah occupational therapy assistants earn 5.86% less than the national median ($-4,353/year difference).
Utah Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Utah range from $48,172 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $89,676 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $69,979. The Utah median is $4,353 below the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $33.65/hr. Approximately 597 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 41 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,688
2025 BLS Actual
$68,066
2026 Current Est.
$69,979
2019–2027 Growth
+20.5%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Utah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,688 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,504 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,941 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,822 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,797 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,066 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,979 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,946 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Utah metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 14.0% from $59,688 (2019) to $68,066 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,946 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,258 (20.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Utah 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Utah
Lowest Paying Cities in Utah
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Utah
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Utah cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Jordan | $74,087 | 98.1 | $75,522 |
| West Valley City | $73,970 | 98.1 | $75,403 |
| Sandy | $73,822 | 98.1 | $75,252 |
| Murray | $73,735 | 98.1 | $75,163 |
| South Jordan | $73,400 | 98.1 | $74,822 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Utah
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,172 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $69,979 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $89,676 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Utah metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 41 Cities in Utah
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Jordan | $74,087 |
| 2 | West Valley City | $73,970 |
| 3 | Sandy | $73,822 |
| 4 | Murray | $73,735 |
| 5 | Salt Lake City | $73,427 |
| 6 | South Jordan | $73,400 |
| 7 | Draper | $72,730 |
| 8 | Layton | $72,493 |
| 9 | Holladay | $72,211 |
| 10 | Spanish Fork | $72,199 |
| 11 | American Fork | $72,047 |
| 12 | Saratoga Springs | $71,968 |
| 13 | Cedar City | $71,945 |
| 14 | Cottonwood Heights | $71,702 |
| 15 | Midvale | $71,702 |
| 16 | Roy | $71,674 |
| 17 | Tooele | $71,623 |
| 18 | Herriman | $71,598 |
| 19 | St. George | $71,245 |
| 20 | Taylorsville | $71,073 |
| 21 | Kaysville | $70,967 |
| 22 | Syracuse | $70,859 |
| 23 | Washington | $70,836 |
| 24 | Logan | $70,665 |
| 25 | Millcreek | $70,437 |
| 26 | Bountiful | $69,982 |
| 27 | Clearfield | $69,654 |
| 28 | Pleasant Grove | $69,609 |
| 29 | Springville | $69,178 |
| 30 | Eagle Mountain | $69,150 |
| 31 | Riverton | $69,076 |
| 32 | Vineyard | $68,963 |
| 33 | Highland | $68,624 |
| 34 | Payson | $68,481 |
| 35 | Park City | $67,954 |
| 36 | North Ogden | $67,762 |
| 37 | Clinton | $67,428 |
| 38 | Ogden | $65,850 |
| 39 | Provo | $63,002 |
| 40 | Orem | $62,339 |
| 41 | Lehi | $61,750 |
More Utah Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Utah cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new occupational therapy assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Utah in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Utah?
How does Utah occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Utah?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Utah?
Which Utah city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across Utah. State averages are employment-weighted across 41 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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