Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in West Valley City, UT: $73,970 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in West Valley City, UT earns a median $73,970/year (≈ $35.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in West Valley City's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $75,403 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in West Valley City, UT, can expect a median annual salary of $73,970 in 2026. With a salary range stretching from $49,516 at the 10th percentile to $91,572 at the 90th percentile, compensation varies significantly across different settings. These projections are informed by 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. The strong focus in this area on productivity and the number of client visits per day significantly influences earnings, reflecting the demand for efficient and effective occupational therapy services. The job market in West Valley City indicates strong potential for growth, making it an exciting place for current and aspiring occupational therapy assistants.
About the West Valley City Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,516 | $23.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,352 | $29.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,970 | $35.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,865 | $38.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,572 | $44.02 |
Median Salary Position
0.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Valley City
In West Valley City, UT, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,056 (2026 est.). At $73,970, the local median is 0.49% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Valley City: You'd be above the median
How West Valley City Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
West Valley City median: $73,970/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Valley City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $72,948 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -0.49% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in West Valley City, UT earn a median of $73,970 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.49% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.40% above the Utah state average of $72,948.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Valley City 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.
West Valley City, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $73,970 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,403 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$61,211
2025 BLS Actual
$71,948
2026 Current Est.
$73,970
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in West Valley City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,211 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,634 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,429 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,937 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,684 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,708 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,948 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,970 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,048 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Valley City metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $61,211 (2019) to $71,948 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,048 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,837 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Valley City 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) | $49,516 – $60,352 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,352 – $73,970 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,970 – $80,865 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,865 – $91,572 |
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 West Valley City
In the local job market, 23 occupational therapy assistants are currently employed, presenting a modest but stable environment for job seekers in the field. The cost of living index of 98.1 suggests that while expenses are below the national average, it impacts take-home purchasing power, making salary negotiations crucial. Among the various employers in West Valley City, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers typically offer the highest wages, while school districts and outpatient clinics follow closely. Factors contributing to the disparity include the work setting, productivity expectations, and the difference in demand for services, especially in light of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that took effect in 2022. To maximize pay in this competitive market, occupational therapy assistants may consider specializing in settings that offer high demand and developing skills that enhance their value, such as pursuing COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways or staying updated through AOTA and NBCOT resources.
More salary data for West Valley City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in West Valley City, UT in 2026?
Is West Valley City, UT a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in West Valley City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in West Valley City?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in West Valley City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Utah
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 $71,948 for occupational therapy assistantsin the West Valley City 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 West Valley City 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