Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Brookings, SD: $63,728 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Brookings, SD earns a median $63,728/year (≈ $30.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Brookings's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $68,672 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected occupational therapy assistant salary in Brookings, South Dakota, for 2026 is set at $63,728. This figure sits below the national median of $74,332, highlighting a difference that can affect local job seekers. Occupational therapy assistants in Brookings can expect a salary range from $49,380 at the 10th percentile to $73,932 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a competitive market influenced by local demand. These salary estimates are derived from the 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the regional cost of living, which offers a practical lens to understand earning potential in a mid-size city like Brookings. With the local healthcare landscape continually evolving, understanding these figures is essential for those entering or advancing in this field.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,380 | $23.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,409 | $27.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,728 | $30.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,640 | $32.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,932 | $35.54 |
Median Salary Position
14.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookings
In Brookings, SD, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,552 (2026 est.). At $63,728, the local median is 14.27% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookings: You'd be above the median
How Brookings Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Brookings median: $63,728/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $68,969 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.27% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Brookings, SD earn a median of $63,728 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.27% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $68,969.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookings has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brookings, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,728 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,672 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,735
2025 BLS Actual
$61,986
2026 Current Est.
$63,728
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,735 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,961 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,924 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,084 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,451 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,441 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,986 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,728 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,519 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookings metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,735 (2019) to $61,986 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,519 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,784 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookings 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) | $49,380 – $56,409 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,409 – $63,728 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,728 – $67,640 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,640 – $73,932 |
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 Brookings
In Brookings, only four occupational therapy assistants are employed, underscoring a tight-knit job market with limited competition. The area’s cost-of-living index stands at 92.8, which means the purchasing power for residents may be advantageous compared to higher-cost regions. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities are likely to offer the highest wages, followed closely by hospital inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient clinics. The disparity in salaries can be driven by various factors, including productivity expectations, the impact of the 15% Medicare Part B cut on payment for OTA services, and the differing financial structures between settings such as schools versus skilled nursing facilities. For those looking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Brookings, focusing on contracts with hospitals or skilled nursing facilities and pursuing year-round work opportunities rather than school-year-only contracts could be effective strategies.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Brookings, SD in 2026?
Is Brookings, SD a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Brookings?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Brookings?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Brookings?
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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 $61,986 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Brookings 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 Brookings 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