Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Sulphur, LA: $62,602 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Sulphur, LA earns a median $62,602/year (≈ $30.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Sulphur's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $69,327 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual occupational therapy assistant salary in Sulphur, LA, set at $62,602 for 2026, prospective assistants can expect compensation that trails the national figure of $74,332 by about 15.78%. Salary estimates range from $48,601 at the 10th percentile to $72,730 at the 90th percentile, offering a significant pay scale for those entering the field or considering the COTA-to-MOT bridge to enhance their earning potential over a longer career. These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data adjusted for regional cost variations, signaling both opportunities and challenges within Sulphur's job market, particularly given the area's cost of living index of 90.3, which is below the national average.
About the Sulphur Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,601 | $23.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,480 | $26.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,602 | $30.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,509 | $31.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,730 | $34.97 |
Median Salary Position
15.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sulphur
In Sulphur, LA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,129 (2026 est.). At $62,602, the local median is 15.78% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sulphur: You'd be above the median
How Sulphur Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Sulphur median: $62,602/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sulphur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $67,678 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.78% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Sulphur, LA earn a median of $62,602 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.78% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.50% below the Louisiana state average of $67,678.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sulphur 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.
Sulphur, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,602 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,327 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,804
2025 BLS Actual
$60,891
2026 Current Est.
$62,602
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Sulphur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,804 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,008 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,989 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,111 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,436 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,891 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,602 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,361 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sulphur metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,804 (2019) to $60,891 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,361 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,557 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sulphur 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) | $48,601 – $55,480 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,480 – $62,602 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,602 – $66,509 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,509 – $72,730 |
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 Sulphur
Though the job market may seem small with only five occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Sulphur, the opportunities for those in the field remain noteworthy. The cost of living impacts purchasing power, meaning that salary figures, although lower than the national average, may afford a competitive standard of living locally. Employment settings vary in pay, with skilled nursing facilities typically offering the highest wages against outpatient clinics and school districts, which may have restricted budgets. Factors influencing salary spread include work location, productivity requirements, and the ongoing effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on certain roles. To maximize pay potential, assistants may benefit from targeting in-demand positions in hospitals or specialized clinics, considering flexibility in scheduling for weekend or PRN roles, and pursuing continuous education to further their credentials and skills.
More salary data for Sulphur, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Sulphur, LA in 2026?
Is Sulphur, LA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Sulphur?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Sulphur?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Sulphur?
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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 $60,891 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Sulphur 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 Sulphur 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