Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Longview, TX: $78,208 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Longview, TX earns a median $78,208/year (≈ $37.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Longview's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.5), that paycheck buys what $87,398 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Longview, Texas, the projection for the yearly compensation of an occupational therapy assistant stands at $78,208 for 2026, surpassing the national median of $74,332. This position boasts a substantial salary range from $56,165 at the 10th percentile to $97,351 at the 90th percentile. Derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, these figures reflect a solid market for occupational therapy assistants in the region. The notable pay structure also suggests that pursuing higher qualifications, such as the transition from Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), could yield significant lifetime earnings, especially as roles continue to evolve in response to healthcare demands in Longview’s diverse setting.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,165 | $27.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,036 | $35.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,208 | $37.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,682 | $41.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,351 | $46.81 |
Median Salary Position
5.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Longview
In Longview, TX, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,186 (2026 est.). At $78,208, the local median is 5.21% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Longview: You'd be above the median
How Longview Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Longview median: $78,208/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Longview Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $78,286 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +5.21% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Longview, TX earn a median of $78,208 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.21% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.10% below the Texas state average of $78,286.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Longview has a cost of living 10.52% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Longview, TX has a cost-of-living index of 89.485 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $78,208 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,398 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.75% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,717
2025 BLS Actual
$76,070
2026 Current Est.
$78,208
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Longview (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,717 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,222 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,208 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,405 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Longview metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $64,717 (2019) to $76,070 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,405 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,688 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Longview 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) | $56,165 – $73,036 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,036 – $78,208 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,208 – $85,682 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,682 – $97,351 |
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 Longview
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Longview shows promise with approximately 50 professionals currently employed in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics. With a cost-of-living index of 89.485, salaries tend to stretch further in this region, providing practitioners with greater purchasing power compared to more expensive areas. Employers like hospital inpatient rehab facilities often offer the highest pay, capitalizing on the greater demand for services within those settings. Pay disparities arise from factors like productivity expectations and the effects of the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts, which particularly impact skilled nursing and outpatient clinics. To maximize income, professionals might consider seeking out positions in hospitals or early intervention programs and pursuing year-round contracts, which can be more lucrative than school-year positions. Adapting to the local healthcare context could significantly enhance occupational therapy assistant pay in Longview, TX.
More salary data for Longview, 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 $76,070 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Longview 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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