Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Hobbs, NM: $68,230 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Hobbs, NM earns a median $68,230/year (≈ $32.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Hobbs's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $72,278 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Hobbs, New Mexico, can expect a median annual salary of $68,230, which is notably lower than the national median of $74,332. The salary range reflects a diverse earning potential, from $47,812 at the 10th percentile to $84,275 at the 90th percentile. These figures are estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, indicating a nuanced view of compensation that can vary due to differences in workplace settings and productivity expectations. With the local market employing nine occupational therapy assistants, the job outlook remains stable, although salaries are subject to market pressures and cost-of-living factors that are particularly relevant for residents of Hobbs.
About the Hobbs Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,812 | $22.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,081 | $29.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,230 | $32.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,146 | $36.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,275 | $40.52 |
Median Salary Position
8.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hobbs
In Hobbs, NM, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,463 (2026 est.). At $68,230, the local median is 8.21% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hobbs: You'd be above the median
How Hobbs Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Hobbs median: $68,230/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hobbs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $70,195 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -8.21% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hobbs, NM earn a median of $68,230 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.21% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.80% below the New Mexico state average of $70,195.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hobbs has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hobbs, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $68,230 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,278 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,461
2025 BLS Actual
$66,365
2026 Current Est.
$68,230
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hobbs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,461 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,773 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,663 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,976 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,509 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,254 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,365 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,230 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,147 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hobbs metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $56,461 (2019) to $66,365 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,147 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,686 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hobbs 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) | $47,812 – $61,081 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,081 – $68,230 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,230 – $75,146 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,146 – $84,275 |
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 Hobbs
Evaluating the local job market, the cost of living index in Hobbs is 94.4, indicating a cost of living below the national average and potentially enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics tend to offer the highest wages, while position type and setting—like school districts versus home health agencies—can significantly influence earnings. Factors such as productivity expectations and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement reduction for OTA services play crucial roles in pay disparities. To maximize earnings in this market, COTAs may focus on high-demand settings, seek additional certifications, or consider opportunities in contractual roles that offer more flexibility or premium pay, particularly on weekends or during the school-year timeframe.
More salary data for Hobbs, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Hobbs, NM in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Hobbs?
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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 $66,365 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Hobbs 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 Hobbs 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