Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Missoula, MT: $59,017 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Missoula, MT earns a median $59,017/year (≈ $28.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Missoula's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $61,348 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Missoula, Montana, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $59,017 in 2026, reflecting the broader dynamics within healthcare settings post-Medicare cuts. Salaries range from $43,455 at the 10th percentile to $73,423 at the 90th percentile, encompassing various practice environments including skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals. This variability is shaped significantly by the settings in which COTAs operate; for instance, hospital-based roles traditionally offer higher compensation than school positions, especially in light of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that has pressured pay in SNFs and outpatient services. The local estimates derived from BLS data suggest that while Missoula's pay falls nearly 20.60% below the national median of $74,332, the unique economic landscape here influences occupational therapy assistant pay considerably.
About the Missoula Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,455 | $20.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,999 | $24.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,017 | $28.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,959 | $31.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,423 | $35.29 |
Median Salary Position
20.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Missoula
In Missoula, MT, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,968 (2026 est.). At $59,017, the local median is 20.6% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Missoula: You'd be above the median
How Missoula Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Missoula median: $59,017/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Missoula Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $60,345 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -20.60% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Missoula, MT earn a median of $59,017 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.60% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.20% below the Montana state average of $60,345.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Missoula has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Missoula, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $59,017 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,348 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,837
2025 BLS Actual
$57,404
2026 Current Est.
$59,017
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,837 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,972 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,012 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,013 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,204 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,327 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,404 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,017 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,675 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missoula metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $48,837 (2019) to $57,404 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,675 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,838 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missoula 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) | $43,455 – $50,999 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,999 – $59,017 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,017 – $64,959 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,959 – $73,423 |
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 Missoula
In assessing the labor market in Missoula, the presence of 16 occupational therapy assistants indicates a relatively stable job environment, yet the cost of living index sitting at 96.2 suggests more competitive take-home pay compared to many national averages. Employment opportunities in skilled nursing facilities tend to offer better salaries, but significant discrepancies remain based on work settings. For example, productivity demands, premium pay for weekend shifts, and the differences in school versus year-round contracts can lead to gaps in earnings. Furthermore, the impact of the Medicare reimbursement cut on SNF roles means that many COTAs are reconsidering their job options, moving towards sectors that can provide more stable income. For those looking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Missoula, focusing on outpatient clinics or pursuing additional qualifications such as a COTA-to-MOT bridge pathway might be advisable to enhance earnings potential and job stability in the changing landscape.
More salary data for Missoula, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Missoula, MT in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Missoula?
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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 $57,404 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Missoula 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 Missoula 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