Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Flagstaff, AZ: $71,479 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Flagstaff, AZ earns a median $71,479/year (≈ $34.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Flagstaff's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $72,568 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant in Flagstaff, Arizona is projected at $71,479, indicating a slight decline compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this role spans from $52,437 at the 10th percentile to $88,503 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the potential variation based on experience, setting, and job responsibilities. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for the regional cost of living. Understanding the influence of productivity expectations—particularly how the number of visits per day can impact compensation—plays a significant role in navigating the job market for occupational therapy assistants in Flagstaff.
About the Flagstaff Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,437 | $25.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,623 | $29.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,479 | $34.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,641 | $37.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,503 | $42.55 |
Median Salary Position
3.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Flagstaff
In Flagstaff, AZ, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,066 (2026 est.). At $71,479, the local median is 3.84% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Flagstaff: You'd be above the median
How Flagstaff Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Flagstaff median: $71,479/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Flagstaff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $73,236 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -3.84% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Flagstaff, AZ earn a median of $71,479 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.84% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.40% below the Arizona state average of $73,236.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Flagstaff has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Flagstaff, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $71,479 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,568 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,149
2025 BLS Actual
$69,525
2026 Current Est.
$71,479
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Flagstaff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,149 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,524 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,361 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,784 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,438 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,313 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,525 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,479 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,487 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Flagstaff metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $59,149 (2019) to $69,525 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,487 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,338 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Flagstaff 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) | $52,437 – $61,623 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,623 – $71,479 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,479 – $78,641 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,641 – $88,503 |
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 Flagstaff
The local job market features about 14 occupational therapy assistants, providing a tight-knit community that may influence salary dynamics. With a cost-of-living index at 98.5, operating just below the national average, this can affect the purchasing power of take-home income for COTAs in Flagstaff. Employers that tend to offer higher pay include skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs, with schools typically offering less due to differing contract terms. Factors such as the setting, productivity expectations, and the effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA services in both skilled nursing and outpatient environments contribute to the salary spread. Maximizing pay in Flagstaff may involve considering settings that offer weekend or PRN work, exploring school-year versus year-round contracts, and actively seeking positions within the most financially supportive healthcare facilities.
More salary data for Flagstaff, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Flagstaff, AZ in 2026?
Is Flagstaff, AZ a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Flagstaff?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Flagstaff?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Flagstaff?
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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 $69,525 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Flagstaff 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 Flagstaff 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