Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Scottsbluff, NE: $65,271 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Scottsbluff, NE earns a median $65,271/year (≈ $31.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Scottsbluff's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $71,334 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, earn a median annual salary of $65,271, which reflects the challenges present in different health care settings, particularly following recent Medicare cuts. The salary range for this role varies between $47,225 at the 10th percentile to $74,260 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, demonstrate a demographic under pressure to adapt. After the 15% Medicare reimbursement reduction for OTA-provided services, both skilled nursing facilities and outpatient care have been feeling the effects, pushing pay dynamics from prior years into a more competitive structure.
About the Scottsbluff Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,225 | $22.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,377 | $28.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,271 | $31.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,373 | $32.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,260 | $35.71 |
Median Salary Position
12.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scottsbluff
In Scottsbluff, NE, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,035 (2026 est.). At $65,271, the local median is 12.19% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Scottsbluff: You'd be above the median
How Scottsbluff Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Scottsbluff median: $65,271/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scottsbluff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $67,991 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.19% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Scottsbluff, NE earn a median of $65,271 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.19% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.00% below the Nebraska state average of $67,991.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scottsbluff 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.
Scottsbluff, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,271 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,334 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,012
2025 BLS Actual
$63,487
2026 Current Est.
$65,271
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Scottsbluff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,012 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,268 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,205 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,418 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,842 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,442 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,487 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,271 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,105 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scottsbluff metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $54,012 (2019) to $63,487 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,105 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,093 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scottsbluff 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) | $47,225 – $59,377 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,377 – $65,271 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,271 – $68,373 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,373 – $74,260 |
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 Scottsbluff
The local employment situation includes just four occupational therapy assistants, marking a narrow job market in Scottsbluff. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, the financial reality means that salaries stretch further than in many other regions. However, pay tends to be higher in hospital settings compared to schools or skilled nursing facilities, largely due to differing productivity expectations and contract terms. COTAs might consider focusing on inpatient rehabilitation hospitals for better pay, given their consistent demand for services. Maximizing earnings in this market may require flexible scheduling, seeking opportunities for weekend shifts, or pursuing diverse contracts with local agencies. This adaptability can mitigate the impact of external pay pressures while enhancing professional growth pathways.
More salary data for Scottsbluff, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Scottsbluff, NE in 2026?
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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 $63,487 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Scottsbluff 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 Scottsbluff 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