Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Papillion, NE: $63,265 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Papillion, NE earns a median $63,265/year (≈ $30.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Papillion's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $69,142 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the outlook for occupational therapy assistant salary in Papillion, NE, presents a median compensation of $63,265. Salary ranges vary widely, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $49,745 and experienced professionals earning up to $74,195. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect the local economic context and the unique structural divide in healthcare settings. The impact of Medicare cuts on revenue, especially within skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), affects pay disparities in the area. Understanding these dynamics is essential for those pursuing a career in occupational therapy assistance, as Papillion continues to evolve in response to healthcare funding changes and the community's needs.
About the Papillion Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,745 | $23.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,525 | $27.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,265 | $30.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,644 | $32.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,195 | $35.68 |
Median Salary Position
14.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Papillion
In Papillion, NE, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,450 (2026 est.). At $63,265, the local median is 14.89% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Papillion: You'd be above the median
How Papillion Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Papillion median: $63,265/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Papillion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $68,027 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.89% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Papillion, NE earn a median of $63,265 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.89% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.00% below the Nebraska state average of $68,027.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Papillion 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.
Papillion, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,265 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,142 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,352
2025 BLS Actual
$61,536
2026 Current Est.
$63,265
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Papillion (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 | $53,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,684 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,034 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,769 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,536 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,265 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,043 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Papillion metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,352 (2019) to $61,536 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,043 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,691 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Papillion 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) | $49,745 – $56,525 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,525 – $63,265 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,265 – $67,644 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,644 – $74,195 |
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 Papillion
Despite the moderate number of occupational therapy assistants employed in Papillion, only five professionals currently work in this field locally, indicating a competitive yet potential-rich job market. The cost of living index at 91.5 suggests that while salaries might be lower than the national average, purchasing power remains relatively robust. Among local employers, acute care hospitals and outpatient clinics typically offer higher rates of pay compared to school districts or SNFs. The disparities in compensation are influenced by factors such as productivity benchmarks, type of healthcare contracts, and the recent Medicare reimbursement cuts that reshaped payment structures, particularly in outpatient settings. For those aiming to maximize occupational therapy assistant pay in Papillion, seeking positions in hospitals or pursuing weekend shifts can enhance earning potential, alongside considering contract opportunities that align with the evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Papillion, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $61,536 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Papillion 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 Papillion 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