Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Hammond, LA: $63,616 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Hammond, LA earns a median $63,616/year (≈ $30.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Hammond's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $70,450 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hammond, Louisiana, professionals stepping into the role of an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) can expect a median annual salary of $63,616 in 2026. This figure reflects localized estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusts for regional cost factors. The salary range for OTAs in the area spans from $49,068 at the 10th percentile to $75,658 at the 90th percentile, which mirrors the variations found in job complexity and settings. For those currently eyeing a career progression from Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), timing is crucial. Bridging this educational gap can significantly enhance lifetime pay, leading to increased earnings potential in a field projected to grow by 2.81% annually over the next five years.
About the Hammond Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,068 | $23.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,196 | $27.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,616 | $30.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,812 | $33.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,658 | $36.37 |
Median Salary Position
14.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hammond
In Hammond, LA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,590 (2026 est.). At $63,616, the local median is 14.42% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hammond: You'd be above the median
How Hammond Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Hammond median: $63,616/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hammond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $67,676 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.42% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hammond, LA earn a median of $63,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.42% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.00% below the Louisiana state average of $67,676.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hammond 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.
Hammond, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,616 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,450 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,750
2025 BLS Actual
$61,877
2026 Current Est.
$63,616
2019–2027 Growth
+13.3%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hammond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,831 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,988 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,608 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,877 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,616 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,403 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hammond metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 7.1% from $57,750 (2019) to $61,877 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,403 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,653 (13.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hammond 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) | $49,068 – $56,196 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,196 – $63,616 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,616 – $68,812 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,812 – $75,658 |
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 Hammond
While Hammond employs only four occupational therapy assistants, the local job market presents unique pay dynamics worth considering. With a cost of living index of 90.3, residents benefit from a lower living expense compared to national averages, which can bolster take-home pay and purchasing power. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings typically offer the highest wages among employers in the region, although factors such as productivity expectations and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, which took effect in 2022, can heavily influence salaries across different environments. For OTAs striving to maximize pay in Hammond, targeting positions in outpatient clinics or home health agencies could prove beneficial, particularly as demand grows amidst evolving healthcare practices and educational pathways in occupational therapy.
More salary data for Hammond, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Hammond?
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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 $61,877 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Hammond 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 Hammond 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