Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Cottonwood Heights, UT: $71,702 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Cottonwood Heights, UT earns a median $71,702/year (≈ $34.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Cottonwood Heights's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $73,091 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistant salaries in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, reflect the nuanced landscape of rehabilitation services post-Medicare cuts. With a median annual salary of $71,702, COTAs in the area earn slightly below the national median of $74,332. Salary estimates range from $51,503 at the 10th percentile to $85,493 at the 90th percentile, providing insight into income variability across different settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and outpatient clinics. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional costs, highlight the implications of workplace settings on pay scales. As COTAs in Cottonwood Heights navigate the job market, understanding these dynamics can guide their career choices and expectations.
About the Cottonwood Heights Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,503 | $24.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,807 | $29.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,702 | $34.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,261 | $37.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,493 | $41.10 |
Median Salary Position
3.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cottonwood Heights
In Cottonwood Heights, UT, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,990 (2026 est.). At $71,702, the local median is 3.54% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Cottonwood Heights: You'd be above the median
How Cottonwood Heights Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Cottonwood Heights median: $71,702/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cottonwood Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $72,942 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -3.54% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cottonwood Heights, UT earn a median of $71,702 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.54% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.70% below the Utah state average of $72,942.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cottonwood Heights has a cost of living 1.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cottonwood Heights, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $71,702 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,091 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,334
2025 BLS Actual
$69,742
2026 Current Est.
$71,702
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cottonwood Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,334 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,713 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,546 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,977 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,639 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,878 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,742 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,702 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,717 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cottonwood Heights metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $59,334 (2019) to $69,742 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,717 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,383 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cottonwood Heights 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) | $51,503 – $60,807 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,807 – $71,702 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,702 – $77,261 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,261 – $85,493 |
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 Cottonwood Heights
The local job market in Cottonwood Heights currently employs just five occupational therapy assistants, which may limit competition but also reflects a tight-knit professional community. With a cost-of-living index of 98.1, the area is slightly below the national average, impacting the purchasing power of local salaries. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab generally offer the most competitive pay among employers, especially as professionals face shifts in reimbursement rates due to the recent 15% Medicare cut. Variability in compensation is influenced by factors such as evening or weekend shifts, contract structures tied to school years, and differing productivity expectations across settings. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing contracts with hospitals or specialized outpatient services, coupled with obtaining advanced certifications or transitioning to bridge programs like COTA-to-MOT, may present the best opportunities within the Cottonwood Heights market.
More salary data for Cottonwood Heights, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Cottonwood Heights?
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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 $69,742 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Cottonwood Heights 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 Cottonwood Heights 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