Senior Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Cedar City, UT: $83,940 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of occupational therapy assistants working in Cedar City, UT — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $83,940/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2011. Strip back Cedar City's price premium (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $85,566 in average-cost America. The 17% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar City, UT, experienced occupational therapy assistants are projected to earn a median annual salary of $71,945 in 2026. Those at the top tier of the salary range can see earnings reaching $83,940. This figure presents significant potential for senior professionals when compared nationally, where the top earners command higher salaries—however, Cedar City’s figures remain competitive. The difference between the median and top-tier salaries indicates an experience premium, typically achieved through advanced specialization or leadership roles. To reach these upper echelon salary levels, professionals often need to pursue specialized training and certifications, cultivate a strong professional network, and demonstrate leadership abilities within their institutions.
About the Cedar City Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar City
Experienced occupational therapy assistants at the top of the pay scale in Cedar City earn between $76,238 and $83,940 per year (2026 est.). This $31,777 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Cedar City median of $71,945 sits 3.21% below the US median.
Top OTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Cedar City | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $71,945 | $74,332 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,238 | $81,384 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $83,940 | $92,303 |
In Cedar City, experienced occupational therapy assistants (P90) earn 16.67% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay in Cedar City
Advanced Certifications in Utah
UT occupational therapy assistants with additional specialty certifications within the occupational therapy field earn significantly above the $71,945 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Cedar City employers.
Specialty Focus
Occupational Therapy Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the occupational therapy field in Cedar City command premium compensation, often reaching the $76,238–$83,940 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Cedar City metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced occupational therapy assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured occupational therapy assistants in Cedar City with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Utah who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Cedar City
Clinical Occupational Therapy Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Occupational Therapy Assistant
5-10 yearsOccupational Therapy Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedCedar City ranks #26 of 41 Utah cities for top earner occupational therapy assistant salary (90th percentile: $83,940).
Top 10% occupational therapy assistant compensation in Cedar City ($83,940) is 6.4% below the Utah average P90 ($89,676).
2019 BLS Actual
$74,762
2025 BLS Actual
$81,646
2026 Current Est.
$83,940
2019–2027 Growth
+15.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cedar City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,762 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,472 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,943 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,827 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,146 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,461 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,646 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,940 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,299 | Projected |
Top-earning occupational therapy assistants (90th percentile) in Cedar City saw their compensation grow 9.2% from $74,762 in 2019 to $81,646 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.81% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $86,299 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar 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.
Maximizing Your Occupational Therapy Assistant Earnings in Cedar City
In Cedar City, top-paying positions often correlate with particular specialties, with experienced occupational therapy assistants focusing on pediatric care, geriatric rehabilitation, mental health support, hand therapy, and early intervention enjoying the highest compensation. Compensation structures can fluctuate based on the type of employer; skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation generally offer higher hourly rates compared to outpatient clinics or school districts. Advancement opportunities abound for senior professionals; roles such as lead OTA, clinic operations coordinator, or even progressive paths toward an OTA-to-MOT bridge are realistic ambitions within this field. Acquiring advanced credentials from an ACOTE-accredited program, passing the NBCOT national exam for COTA designation, and maintaining state licensure are essential for enhancing salary prospects. Additionally, non-salary benefits like flexible scheduling, premium pay for weekends or on-call shifts, and the potential influence of Medicare reimbursement adjustments—such as the recent 15% cut—can also shape overall compensation strategies for experienced occupational therapy assistants in Cedar City.
More salary data for Cedar City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced occupational therapy assistants make in Cedar City in 2026?
What drives higher occupational therapy assistant pay in Cedar City?
What certifications boost occupational therapy assistant salary in Cedar City?
Can experienced occupational therapy assistants make six figures in Cedar City?
How much does occupational therapy assistant salary increase over time in Cedar City?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $81,646 for occupational therapy assistants in the Cedar City metro area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar 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