Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Carrollton, TX: $79,278 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Carrollton, TX earns a median $79,278/year (≈ $38.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Carrollton's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $82,581 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the financial landscape for occupational therapy assistants in Carrollton, TX, shows a median salary of $79,278, surpassing the national median of $74,332 by about 6.65%. This salary range spans from $52,800 at the 10th percentile to $102,930 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse employment settings available for COTAs. Factors such as shifts in reimbursement rates, driven largely by the 15% Medicare cut affecting OTA services, have notably impacted earnings, especially in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics. Meanwhile, school districts may offer steadier pay structures within the current environment, although the variation stems from the specific demands and productivity expectations each position entails. Given the competitive pay across settings, Carrollton's job market for occupational therapy assistants is adapting to these evolving realities.
About the Carrollton Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,800 | $25.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,188 | $33.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,278 | $38.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,461 | $41.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,930 | $49.48 |
Median Salary Position
6.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carrollton
In Carrollton, TX, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,130 (2026 est.). At $79,278, the local median is 6.65% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carrollton: You'd be above the median
How Carrollton Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Carrollton median: $79,278/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carrollton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $78,338 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +6.65% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Carrollton, TX earn a median of $79,278 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.65% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.20% above the Texas state average of $78,338.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carrollton has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carrollton, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $79,278 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,581 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,603
2025 BLS Actual
$77,111
2026 Current Est.
$79,278
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Carrollton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,603 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,128 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,838 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,525 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,469 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,852 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,111 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,278 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,506 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carrollton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $65,603 (2019) to $77,111 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,506 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,903 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carrollton 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) | $52,800 – $69,188 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,188 – $79,278 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,278 – $86,461 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,461 – $102,930 |
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 Carrollton
As of now, Carrollton hosts approximately 20 occupational therapy assistants, indicating a localized demand for these professionals. The cost of living index in the area sits below the national average at 96, meaning that the purchasing power of salaries can be relatively favorable compared to expensive metropolitan regions. Employers such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation departments typically offer the highest compensation in the local market, reflecting the complexity and intensity of the work often required. Conversely, settings like skilled nursing facilities may provide lower wages due to the aftershocks of reimbursement cuts. To maximize occupational therapy assistant pay in Carrollton TX, strategies such as pursuing positions in high-paying environments and considering varied contracts, including PRN shifts or weekend duties, can yield significant returns. Understanding the influence of educational credentials, such as COTA-to-MOT bridge programs, can also enhance opportunities as the profession evolves in response to both patient and institutional needs.
More salary data for Carrollton, TX:
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 $77,111 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Carrollton 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 Carrollton 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