Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Natchitoches, LA: $63,264 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Natchitoches, LA earns a median $63,264/year (≈ $30.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Natchitoches's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $70,060 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected occupational therapy assistant salary in Natchitoches, LA, is estimated to be $63,264, a figure reflecting local economic conditions and recent changes in the healthcare job market. With a salary range extending from $49,959 at the 10th percentile to $74,736 at the 90th percentile, these projections illustrate the discrepancies often found within the profession, influenced by workplace settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and schools. Local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price parities indicate that the impact of recent Medicare cuts resonates throughout the sector, creating less favorable pay conditions particularly in skilled nursing settings that typically struggle to attract and retain talent. Exploring who employs occupational therapy assistants can help shed light on the dynamics at play in Natchitoches's job market and compensation landscape.
About the Natchitoches Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,959 | $24.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,882 | $27.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,264 | $30.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,640 | $31.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,736 | $35.93 |
Median Salary Position
14.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Natchitoches
In Natchitoches, LA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,777 (2026 est.). At $63,264, the local median is 14.89% below the national median of $74,332.
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How Natchitoches Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Natchitoches median: $63,264/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Natchitoches Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $67,735 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.89% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Natchitoches, LA earn a median of $63,264 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.89% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.60% below the Louisiana state average of $67,735.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Natchitoches 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.
Natchitoches, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,264 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,060 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,352
2025 BLS Actual
$61,535
2026 Current Est.
$63,264
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Natchitoches (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,352 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,569 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,539 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,684 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,033 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,317 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,535 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,264 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,042 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Natchitoches metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,352 (2019) to $61,535 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,042 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,690 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Natchitoches 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) | $49,959 – $56,882 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,882 – $63,264 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,264 – $65,640 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,640 – $74,736 |
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 Natchitoches
In the Natchitoches area, only six occupational therapy assistants are presently employed, suggesting a relatively limited job pool and a competitive market environment. The cost-of-living index in this city stands at 90.3, meaning that while nominal salaries may be lower than the national average, the effective purchasing power of these salaries could be more favorable. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient clinics tend to offer more competitive salaries compared to schools and skilled nursing facilities affected by the 15% cut to Medicare reimbursements. The variation in pay highlights the differences in productivity expectations and contract structures; hospital settings may provide opportunities for overtime or PRN positions, while school contracts can offer stability with year-round positions. Maximizing earning potential in Natchitoches requires strategic choices, such as pursuing roles in higher-paying environments and staying informed on industry shifts related to reimbursement rates and service demands.
More salary data for Natchitoches, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Natchitoches, LA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Natchitoches?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Natchitoches?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Natchitoches?
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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 $61,535 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Natchitoches 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 Natchitoches 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