OT Assistant Salary

Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Edinburg, TX: $73,970 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Edinburg, TX earns a median $73,970/year (โ‰ˆ $35.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Edinburg's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $77,052 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% below the Texas state average.

$73,970
Median Annual Salary
$35.56/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$52,022
Entry Level (P10)
$92,079
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates ยท View source

Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Edinburg, TX โ€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Edinburg, TX occupational therapy assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Occupational therapy assistants in Edinburg, TX can expect a median annual salary of $73,970 in 2026. With a salary range stretching from $52,022 at the lower end to $92,079 for the top earners, this compensation picture provides a solid foundation for those considering a career in this field. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost of living factors. As individuals pursue the COTA-to-MOT bridge, this pathway often results in increased lifetime earnings. Given the local demand for services provided by occupational therapy assistants, Edinburg offers a competitive salary relative to its unique economic landscape.

About the Edinburg Market

Salary estimated from Texas average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$52,022$25.01
Lower Range (P25)$62,249$29.93
Median (P50)(typical)$73,970$35.56
Upper Range (P75)$82,802$39.81
Top Earners (P90)$92,079$44.27

Median Salary Position

$52,022$92,079
City Median: $73,970
National: $74,332
P10โ€“P90 Range

0.49% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Edinburg

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for occupational therapy assistants in Edinburg. The median salary is $73,970, compared to the national median of $74,332.$46.8K$59.3K$71.8K$84.2K$96.7K$52.0K10th Pctl$62.2K25th Pctl$74.0KMedian$82.8K75th Pctl$92.1K90th PctlUS Median$74.3K

In Edinburg, TX, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,057 (2026 est.). At $73,970, the local median is 0.49% below the national median of $74,332.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of occupational therapy assistant pay in the Edinburg metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,422
per week
$6,164
per month
$73,969
per year

At 40 hours/week in Edinburg: You'd be above the median

How Edinburg Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares

Edinburg median: $73,970/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryEdinburg Pays
Texas Average$78,358-5.60% less
National Average$74,332-0.49% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing occupational therapy assistant median salary in Edinburg ($73,970) with Texas average ($78,358) and the US national median ($74,332).Edinburg$73,970Texas Avg$78,358-5.60%US National$74,332-0.49%

Occupational Therapy Assistants in Edinburg, TX earn a median of $73,970 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.49% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.60% below the Texas state average of $78,358.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$73,970
Nominal Salary
96
CoL Index
$77,052
Adjusted Salary

Edinburg has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal ร— (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $73,970. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 96, the purchasing-power equivalent is $77,052, a gain of $3,082.$62.9K$69.3K$75.7K$82.2K$88.6K$73,970NominalSalary$77,052CoL Adjusted(CoL: 96)โ–ฒ 4.17%US Median $74.3K

Edinburg, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $73,970 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,052 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 4.17% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$61,211

2025 BLS Actual

$71,948

2026 Current Est.

$73,970

2019โ€“2027 Growth

+24.2%

Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Edinburg (2019โ€“2027)

2019โ€“2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for occupational therapy assistants in Edinburg. Baseline $61,211 in 2025, projected to $76,048 by 2027.$58.2K$63.4K$68.6K$73.8K$79.0K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$61.2K$62.6K$61.4K$63.9K$66.7K$71.9K$71.9K$74.0K$76.0K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$61,211Actual
2020$62,634Actual
2021$61,429Actual
2022$63,937Actual
2023$66,684Actual
2024$71,918Actual
2025$71,948Actual
2026(current)$73,970Estimated
2027$76,048Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Edinburg metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $61,211 (2019) to $71,948 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,048 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $14,837 (24.24%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Edinburg metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ€“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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$52,022 โ€“ $62,249
3-5 years (Mid Career)$62,249 โ€“ $73,970
5+ years (Experienced)$73,970 โ€“ $82,802
10+ years (Top Earner)$82,802 โ€“ $92,079

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 Edinburg

The Edinburg job market currently employs 22 occupational therapy assistants, giving it a distinct if modest presence in the healthcare sector. A cost-of-living index of 96 suggests that salaries here provide decent purchasing power compared to the national average. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings often offer the highest compensation, while outpatient clinics and school district contracts tend to pay lower salaries. Variability in pay is influenced by factors like weekend and PRN premium shifts, productivity expectations, and the effect of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that was implemented in 2022. To maximize earnings in Edinburg, pursuing opportunities in high-paying facilities, considering contract flexibility, and enhancing skills through continued education via AOTA or NBCOT certifications can be effective strategies for occupational therapy assistants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Edinburg, TX in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median occupational therapy assistant salary in Edinburg is $73,970/year ($35.56/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.81% annual growth). Salaries range from $52,022 at entry level (10th percentile) to $92,079 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Edinburg at 0.5% below the national median. Full-time occupational therapy assistants typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Edinburg, TX a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?

Edinburg occupational therapy assistant salaries are 0.5% below the national average and 5.6% below the Texas state average. The metro area employs approximately 22 occupational therapy assistants. With a cost-of-living index of 96, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Edinburg?

The median occupational therapy assistant salary in Edinburg is $73,970, and the 90th percentile earns $92,079. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Edinburg?

After adjusting for Edinburg's cost-of-living index of 96 (where 100 equals the national average), the $73,970 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $77,052 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 4.2% further in Edinburg compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for occupational therapy assistants seeking strong real wages.

How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Edinburg?

Occupational Therapy Assistants in Edinburg earn a median hourly rate of $35.56, which translates to approximately $73,970/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $25.01 for entry-level positions to $44.27 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem occupational therapy assistants sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

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 $71,948 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Edinburg 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 (P10โ€“P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Edinburg is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov

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