Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in North Platte, NE: $63,246 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in North Platte, NE earns a median $63,246/year (≈ $30.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in North Platte's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $69,121 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in North Platte is projected to reach $63,246 annually, reflecting local adjustments based on BLS state-level data and regional cost factors. The salary range for this role spans from $49,420 at the 10th percentile to $74,133 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse compensation landscape for COTAs in the region. Those working in this field play a vital role in providing therapeutic services, where daily productivity expectations significantly impact overall earnings. With occupational therapy assistants handling multiple patient visits each day, their efficiency and effectiveness can substantially influence their compensation, making North Platte a competitive environment for these professionals.
About the North Platte Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,420 | $23.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,483 | $27.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,246 | $30.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,599 | $32.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,133 | $35.64 |
Median Salary Position
14.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Platte
In North Platte, NE, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,713 (2026 est.). At $63,246, the local median is 14.91% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in North Platte: You'd be above the median
How North Platte Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
North Platte median: $63,246/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Platte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $68,006 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.91% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in North Platte, NE earn a median of $63,246 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.91% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.00% below the Nebraska state average of $68,006.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Platte has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
North Platte, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,246 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,121 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,336
2025 BLS Actual
$61,517
2026 Current Est.
$63,246
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in North Platte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,336 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,553 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,523 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,668 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,016 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,752 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,517 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,246 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,023 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Platte metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,336 (2019) to $61,517 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,023 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,687 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Platte 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) | $49,420 – $56,483 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,483 – $63,246 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,246 – $67,599 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,599 – $74,133 |
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 North Platte
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants in North Platte is modest, with only four individuals employed in the field, creating a unique context for salary expectations. The cost of living index stands at 91.5, indicating that expenses in the area are below the national average, potentially enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. Among the various employment settings, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs tend to offer the highest pay for COTAs, driven by the complexity and intensity of care required in these environments. Factors contributing to the salary disparity include the work setting, productivity demands, and the effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut implemented in 2022. To maximize earnings, occupational therapy assistants could explore opportunities in high-paying facilities, consider contracts that offer weekend premiums, and stay informed about potential COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways to further their qualifications and increase their marketability in North Platte, NE.
More salary data for North Platte, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in North Platte, NE in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in North Platte?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in North Platte?
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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 $61,517 for occupational therapy assistantsin the North Platte 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 North Platte 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