Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Orem, UT: $62,339 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Orem, UT earns a median $62,339/year (≈ $29.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Orem's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $63,546 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.5% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Orem, Utah, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 is $62,339. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $74,332, a difference of 16.13% that reflects local factors such as cost of living, which stands at a relatively affordable index of 98.1. The salary for OSHA professionals in Orem spans from a poverty-level $46,068 at the 10th percentile to an upper limit of $80,039 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide range of compensation potential. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, provide insight into the financial landscape for those working in healthcare within the area, highlighting opportunities for economic growth as it potentially correlates with pursuing advanced education through the COTA-to-MOT bridge.
About the Orem Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,068 | $22.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,995 | $25.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,339 | $29.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,106 | $33.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,039 | $38.48 |
Median Salary Position
16.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Orem
In Orem, UT, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,971 (2026 est.). At $62,339, the local median is 16.13% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Orem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Orem Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Orem median: $62,339/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Orem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $72,911 | -14.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -16.13% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Orem, UT earn a median of $62,339 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.13% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 14.50% below the Utah state average of $72,911.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Orem 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.
Orem, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,339 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,546 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,586
2025 BLS Actual
$60,635
2026 Current Est.
$62,339
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Orem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,586 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,785 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,884 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,198 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,658 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,635 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,339 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,091 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Orem metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,586 (2019) to $60,635 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,091 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,505 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Orem 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) | $46,068 – $53,995 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,995 – $62,339 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,339 – $70,106 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,106 – $80,039 |
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 Orem
Analyzing Orem’s job market reveals that there are currently 24 employed occupational therapy assistants, suggesting a stable demand for their skills. This demand is set against a backdrop of a cost-of-living index slightly below the national average, impacting disposable income and overall purchasing power for professionals in the area. Among local employers, positions in hospital inpatient rehab typically offer higher compensation compared to skilled nursing facilities, where recent Medicare reimbursement cuts have dampened earnings potential. Factors influencing the wage disparity include productivity expectations, which tend to favor hospital settings, alongside the variability of contracts in outpatient clinics versus school districts. For those looking to increase their occupational therapy assistant pay in Orem UT, focusing on settings that provide premium pay for weekend shifts or PRN work tends to yield the best financial rewards, especially in light of ongoing changes in reimbursement structures.
More salary data for Orem, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Orem, UT in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Orem?
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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 $60,635 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Orem 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 Orem 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