Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Lafayette, LA: $66,724 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Lafayette, LA earns a median $66,724/year (≈ $32.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $76,510 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 is $66,724, trailing slightly behind the national median of $74,332. Salary figures for local professionals range from $54,016 at the 10th percentile to $82,022 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse settings where occupational therapy assistants can work. Many are employed in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), hospital inpatient rehabilitation, and educational settings, each offering different compensation based on the specific challenges and responsibilities tied to the environment. With the pressures of recent Medicare cuts impacting reimbursement rates, particularly for SNFs, the landscape for occupational therapy assistant pay in Lafayette reflects a complex interplay of job settings and financial realities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,016 | $25.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,933 | $29.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,724 | $32.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,189 | $39.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,022 | $39.44 |
Median Salary Position
10.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,006 (2026 est.). At $66,724, the local median is 10.24% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lafayette Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $66,724/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $67,671 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -10.24% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $66,724 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.24% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.40% below the Louisiana state average of $67,671.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, LA has a cost-of-living index of 87.209 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $66,724 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,510 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,980
2025 BLS Actual
$64,900
2026 Current Est.
$66,724
2019–2027 Growth
+-3.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,724 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,599 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew -8.6% from $70,980 (2019) to $64,900 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,599 by 2027 — a total increase of $-2,381 (-3.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $54,016 – $61,933 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,933 – $66,724 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,724 – $81,189 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,189 – $82,022 |
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 Lafayette
Examining the local job market reveals that there are currently 60 occupational therapy assistants employed in Lafayette, which contributes to a specialized employment sector. The cost-of-living index in Lafayette stands at 87.209, suggesting that while salaries might be lower compared to national averages, the purchasing power in the region remains viable. Hospitals typically offer the highest compensation, while positions in education may have slightly lower pay scales. Factors influencing disparities in pay include productivity metrics, the pressures of weekend or per diem work, and the different contracts available based on whether positions are year-round or tied to the school calendar. To optimize earnings, aspiring occupational therapy assistants should consider gaining skills in high-demand areas like inpatient rehabilitation or outpatient therapy, and stay informed about the effects of Medicare reimbursement policies, particularly the 15% cut that began in 2022.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Lafayette, LA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Lafayette?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Lafayette?
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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 $64,900 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Lafayette 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