Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Friendswood, TX: $75,706 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Friendswood, TX earns a median $75,706/year (≈ $36.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Friendswood's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $78,860 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Friendswood, Texas, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant in 2026 is $75,706, slightly above the national median of $74,332. This salary reflects local conditions, with estimates accounting for regional price parities and cost metrics. The salary range spans from $58,236 at the 10th percentile to $92,640 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diversity in compensation based on varying levels of skill, experience, and workplace setting. As occupational therapy assistants pursue the COTA-to-MOT bridge, they stand to enhance their lifetime earnings significantly, should they choose to become licensed occupational therapists. Friendswood's job market for this profession offers opportunities for growth, making it a viable option for COTAs aiming for career advancement.
About the Friendswood Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,236 | $28.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,228 | $32.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,706 | $36.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,849 | $39.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,640 | $44.54 |
Median Salary Position
1.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Friendswood
In Friendswood, TX, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,404 (2026 est.). At $75,706, the local median is 1.85% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Friendswood: You'd be above the median
How Friendswood Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Friendswood median: $75,706/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Friendswood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $78,290 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +1.85% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Friendswood, TX earn a median of $75,706 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.85% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.30% below the Texas state average of $78,290.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Friendswood 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.
Friendswood, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $75,706 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,860 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,647
2025 BLS Actual
$73,637
2026 Current Est.
$75,706
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Friendswood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,647 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,104 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,872 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,438 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,249 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,525 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,637 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,706 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,834 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Friendswood metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $62,647 (2019) to $73,637 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,834 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,187 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Friendswood 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) | $58,236 – $67,228 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,228 – $75,706 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,706 – $82,849 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,849 – $92,640 |
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 Friendswood
In Friendswood, the local market presents a unique landscape for occupational therapy assistants, with just eight currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 96, suggesting that while salaries may be competitive, purchasing power remains slightly below the national average. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher pay, especially when compared to school district contracts and outpatient clinics. Factors contributing to the salary range include setting, productivity expectations, and the ongoing impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services. To maximize earnings, occupational therapy assistants in Friendswood TX should consider seeking opportunities in settings that provide premium pay, such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation, and stay informed about the competitive dynamics between various types of employers in the area.
More salary data for Friendswood, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Friendswood, TX in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Friendswood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Friendswood?
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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 $73,637 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Friendswood 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 Friendswood 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