Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Alexandria, LA: $64,711 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Alexandria, LA earns a median $64,711/year (≈ $31.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Alexandria's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $71,662 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Alexandria, LA, the projected occupational therapy assistant salary in 2026 is estimated to reach $64,711 annually, which is approximately 12.94% lower than the national median of $74,332. Local earnings reflect a range from $48,796 at the lower 10th percentile to $77,629 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse salary spectrum within the role. These figures, sourced from estimates based on 2025 BLS data with regional price considerations, illustrate not only the potential for growth but also the impact of local economic conditions. With a growth rate of 2.81% anticipated annually, the job market for occupational therapy assistants in Alexandria is showing steady progression. For those pursuing a career in this field, understanding these numbers highlights the importance of continued education and the potential financial benefits of transitioning from a COTA to a Master's level OT role over a lifetime.
About the Alexandria Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,796 | $23.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,149 | $26.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,711 | $31.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,016 | $33.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,629 | $37.32 |
Median Salary Position
12.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alexandria
In Alexandria, LA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,833 (2026 est.). At $64,711, the local median is 12.94% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Alexandria: You'd be above the median
How Alexandria Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Alexandria median: $64,711/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alexandria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $67,689 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.94% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Alexandria, LA earn a median of $64,711 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.94% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.40% below the Louisiana state average of $67,689.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alexandria has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alexandria, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,711 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,662 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,549
2025 BLS Actual
$62,942
2026 Current Est.
$64,711
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Alexandria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,549 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,793 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,337 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,514 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,942 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,711 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,529 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alexandria metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,549 (2019) to $62,942 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,529 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,980 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alexandria 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) | $48,796 – $55,149 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,149 – $64,711 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,711 – $70,016 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,016 – $77,629 |
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 Alexandria
In analyzing the local job market, it’s clear that despite the relatively small number of employed occupational therapy assistants—just nine in Alexandria—there are significant salary growth opportunities among certain employers, such as skilled nursing facilities, which can offer higher pay than school districts or outpatient clinics. The cost of living index sits at 90.3, suggesting that take-home purchasing power may be more favorable compared to national averages, affecting how much do occupational therapy assistants make in Alexandria. The variations in pay can be attributed to several factors, including the work setting, productivity expectations, and local demands. For instance, positions within hospital settings often yield higher compensation compared to other environments, partly due to the complexities involved in inpatient rehabilitation. To maximize salary in this specific market, occupational therapy assistants should consider taking roles that offer additional weekend or PRN shifts, focusing on continued professional development, and keeping abreast of changes from shifts in Medicare reimbursements, such as the recent 15% cut, which has affected many settings.
More salary data for Alexandria, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Alexandria?
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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 $62,942 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Alexandria 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 Alexandria 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