Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Fort Worth, TX: $82,907 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Fort Worth, TX earns a median $82,907/year (≈ $39.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Fort Worth's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $86,361 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an occupational therapy assistant in Fort Worth, Texas, is projected to earn around $82,907 annually, which reflects a competitive advantage over the national median of $74,332. The local salary range shows marked variability, with the lower end at $58,855 and the upper end reaching $109,290. This robust salary landscape in Fort Worth suggests a market that values and compensates skilled practitioners well. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments highlight a favorable environment for COTAs, driven by productivity expectations that optimize visits-per-day and empower therapists to maximize their compensation.
About the Fort Worth Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,855 | $28.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,468 | $33.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,907 | $39.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,088 | $45.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,290 | $52.55 |
Median Salary Position
11.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Worth
In Fort Worth, TX, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,435 (2026 est.). At $82,907, the local median is 11.54% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Worth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Worth Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Fort Worth median: $82,907/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Worth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $78,288 | +5.90% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +11.54% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fort Worth, TX earn a median of $82,907 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.54% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 5.90% above the Texas state average of $78,288.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Worth 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.
Fort Worth, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $82,907 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,361 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$68,606
2025 BLS Actual
$80,641
2026 Current Est.
$82,907
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fort Worth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,606 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,201 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,852 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,662 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,741 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,283 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,641 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,907 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,237 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Worth metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $68,606 (2019) to $80,641 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,237 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,631 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Worth 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) | $58,855 – $70,468 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,468 – $82,907 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,907 – $94,088 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,088 – $109,290 |
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 Fort Worth
Currently, Fort Worth employs approximately 219 occupational therapy assistants, reflecting a healthy local demand for COTAs. The cost of living index in the area is pegged at 96, slightly below the national average, which factors into the take-home purchasing power and overall quality of life for COTAs. Among the local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest wages, followed closely by hospital inpatient rehabilitation and specialized contracts with school districts. Disparities in pay often result from various influences, including setting disparities—hospital roles generally command higher payment than school environments—and the impact of the ongoing 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. To maximize earnings in Fort Worth, COTAs should consider seeking roles in the higher-paying sectors, pursuing specialized certifications that enhance skill sets, and exploring year-round contract options that circumvent the pay fluctuations associated with school-year roles.
More salary data for Fort Worth, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Fort Worth, TX in 2026?
Is Fort Worth, TX a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Fort Worth?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Fort Worth?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Fort Worth?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $80,641 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth 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