Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Los Lunas, NM: $65,218 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Los Lunas, NM earns a median $65,218/year (≈ $31.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Los Lunas's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $69,087 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Los Lunas, NM, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 is $65,218, which falls below the national median of $74,332, highlighting a variance of approximately 12.26%. The salary range for this role locally spans from $51,191 at the 10th percentile to $76,386 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities available within the market. These figures, which are estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, indicate a growing yet competitive landscape for occupational therapy assistants. Such a salary can vary significantly depending on the work setting, experience level, and the completion of further education, such as transitioning from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master’s degree-trained Occupational Therapist (MOT), which may enhance lifetime earning potential in this field.
About the Los Lunas Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,191 | $24.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,205 | $27.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,218 | $31.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,670 | $33.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,386 | $36.72 |
Median Salary Position
12.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Lunas
In Los Lunas, NM, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,195 (2026 est.). At $65,218, the local median is 12.26% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Los Lunas: You'd be above the median
How Los Lunas Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Los Lunas median: $65,218/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Lunas Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $70,202 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.26% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Los Lunas, NM earn a median of $65,218 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.26% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.10% below the New Mexico state average of $70,202.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Lunas 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.
Los Lunas, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,218 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,087 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,968
2025 BLS Actual
$63,435
2026 Current Est.
$65,218
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Los Lunas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,968 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,223 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,161 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,372 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,794 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,417 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,435 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,218 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,050 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Lunas metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,968 (2019) to $63,435 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,050 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,082 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Lunas 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) | $51,191 – $58,205 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,205 – $65,218 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,218 – $69,670 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,670 – $76,386 |
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 Los Lunas
Despite the promising figures, the local job market for occupational therapy assistants in Los Lunas shows a limited workforce with only four professionals currently employed in this role. The cost-of-living index of 94.4 suggests that residents face a more manageable expense structure compared to national averages, which can positively affect purchasing power when determining take-home income. Among the local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings generally offer the highest compensation. The pay spread can be attributed to factors such as workplace setting, productivity expectations, and options for weekend or PRN roles, as well as the influence of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that directly impacts outpatient and skilled nursing positions. To maximize pay in Los Lunas, prospective occupational therapy assistants should consider seeking employment in higher-paying environments, pursuing additional certifications such as those offered by NBCOT, and negotiating contracts that align with the fiscal realities of the industry.
More salary data for Los Lunas, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Los Lunas?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Los Lunas?
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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 $63,435 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Los Lunas 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 Los Lunas 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