Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Highland, UT: $68,624 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Highland, UT earns a median $68,624/year (≈ $32.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Highland's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $69,953 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Highland, UT are projected to earn a median annual salary of $68,624 in 2026, which reflects the unique dynamics of local healthcare settings. The salary range for this occupation spans from $49,473 at the 10th percentile to $77,878 at the 90th percentile, providing a varied compensation structure influenced by factors like patient care settings—skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living differences, which are crucial for understanding how well salaries translate into purchasing power. Given the ongoing repercussions of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that began impacting OTA services, particularly within skilled nursing and outpatient environments, Highland's job market presents a blend of challenges and opportunities for practitioners.
About the Highland Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,473 | $23.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,298 | $29.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,624 | $32.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,763 | $34.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,878 | $37.44 |
Median Salary Position
7.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Highland
In Highland, UT, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,405 (2026 est.). At $68,624, the local median is 7.68% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Highland: You'd be above the median
How Highland Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Highland median: $68,624/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Highland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $72,926 | -5.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -7.68% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Highland, UT earn a median of $68,624 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.68% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.90% below the Utah state average of $72,926.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Highland 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.
Highland, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $68,624 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,953 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,787
2025 BLS Actual
$66,748
2026 Current Est.
$68,624
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Highland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,787 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,107 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,316 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,864 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,393 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,748 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,624 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,552 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Highland metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $56,787 (2019) to $66,748 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,552 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,765 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Highland 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) | $49,473 – $62,298 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,298 – $68,624 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,624 – $71,763 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,763 – $77,878 |
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 Highland
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants is characterized by a modest number of professionals, with only four currently employed in Highland. This limited workforce, combined with a cost-of-living index of 98.1—slightly below the national average—suggests that occupational therapy assistant pay in Highland UT may not stretch as far compared to other regions. The highest-paying opportunities tend to be in hospital inpatient rehab settings, where the demand for specialized therapy remains elevated. Factors influencing the disparity in pay include expectations for productivity, variations in work hours, and the nature of contracts that can be school-year based versus year-round. To maximize income in this market, COTAs should consider seeking positions within hospitals or exploring private practices that offer enhanced pay structures, especially for weekend or PRN shifts. Understanding the interplay of these factors can significantly impact how much occupational therapy assistants make in Highland.
More salary data for Highland, UT:
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 $66,748 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Highland 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 Highland 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