Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Baton Rouge, LA: $64,801 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Baton Rouge, LA earns a median $64,801/year (≈ $31.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Baton Rouge's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $71,382 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants earn a median annual salary of $64,801 in Baton Rouge, LA, reflecting a competitive pay scale that tends to lag behind the national average. The salary ranges from $20,120 at the lower 10th percentile (P10) to as high as $87,183 at the 90th percentile (P90). These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, showing a promising growth rate of 2.81% annually for this occupation. With the potential to enhance lifetime earnings through a COTA-to-MOT bridge, professionals in the area might find their financial prospects improve significantly as they advance in their careers. Understanding this salary landscape in Baton Rouge reveals the localized opportunities available for occupational therapy assistants navigating toward greater professional achievements.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20,120 | $9.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23,472 | $11.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,801 | $31.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,066 | $37.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,183 | $41.92 |
Median Salary Position
12.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baton Rouge
In Baton Rouge, LA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,063 (2026 est.). At $64,801, the local median is 12.82% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Baton Rouge: You'd be above the median
How Baton Rouge Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Baton Rouge median: $64,801/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baton Rouge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $67,713 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.82% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Baton Rouge, LA earn a median of $64,801 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.82% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.30% below the Louisiana state average of $67,713.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baton Rouge has a cost of living 9.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baton Rouge, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.78 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,801 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,382 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.16% 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
$59,460
2025 BLS Actual
$63,030
2026 Current Est.
$64,801
2019–2027 Growth
+12.0%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Baton Rouge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,801 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,622 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baton Rouge metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 6.0% from $59,460 (2019) to $63,030 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,622 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,162 (12.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baton Rouge 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) | $20,120 – $23,472 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $23,472 – $64,801 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,801 – $77,066 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,066 – $87,183 |
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 Baton Rouge
The employment market for occupational therapy assistants in Baton Rouge includes around 130 professionals currently in the field, facing a cost-of-living index of 90.78, which is below the national average. This means that while salaries may be lower compared to other regions, the purchasing power for local residents can still offer a comfortable lifestyle. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings tend to offer the highest pay among local employers, typically due to the complexities of care and productivity expectations. Factors such as the ongoing impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services and the variation in contract types—school year versus year-round—further define the range of salaries. Those looking to maximize earnings in Baton Rouge should consider securing roles in higher-paying environments, embracing opportunities for overtime or PRN shifts, and considering the additional qualifications or skills that could complement their practice.
More salary data for Baton Rouge, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Baton Rouge, LA in 2026?
Is Baton Rouge, LA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Baton Rouge?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Baton Rouge?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Baton Rouge?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 $63,030 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Baton Rouge 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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