Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Occupational Therapy Assistants in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median $76,080 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,659 take-home, or $5,055 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median occupational therapy assistant salary in Phoenix, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,908
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,717
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,103
- Arizona income tax$1,693
- Take-home pay$60,659
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.50% state
Occupational Therapy Assistant pay by experience in Phoenix, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,290 | $30.43 | $51,660 | $4,305 |
| 25th percentile | $63,780 | $30.66 | $52,041 | $4,337 |
| Median (50th) | $76,080 | $36.58 | $60,659 | $5,055 |
| 75th percentile | $79,550 | $38.25 | $63,013 | $5,251 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,230 | $44.82 | $72,295 | $6,025 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $76,080 buys in Phoenix, AZ
Prices in Phoenix, AZ are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median occupational therapy assistant's $60,659 take-home pay has the buying power of $58,712 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Occupational Therapy Assistant jobs are about as common in Phoenix, AZ as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.02).
Best-paying cities for occupational therapy assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Phoenix, AZ ranks #8 of 20 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $81,500 | $66,165 | $67,470 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $81,340 | $66,053 | $66,971 |
| 3 | Dallas, TX | $81,170 | $65,933 | $63,957 |
| 4 | Atlanta, GA | $78,180 | $60,395 | $60,360 |
| 5 | Tampa, FL | $72,820 | $60,059 | $59,529 |
| 6 | Charlotte, NC | $72,780 | $57,636 | $59,206 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $76,440 | $60,259 | $58,758 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $76,080 | $60,659 | $58,712 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 20 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make in Phoenix, AZ?
The median occupational therapy assistant salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $76,080 a year, or about $36.58 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $63,780 and $79,550.
What is a occupational therapy assistant’s take-home pay in Phoenix, AZ?
On the median $76,080 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $60,659 a year ($5,055 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,693 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $72,300. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $58,712 would in a typical U.S. city. Phoenix, AZ ranks #8 of 20 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a occupational therapy assistant afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Phoenix, AZ is $1,583 a month ($1,839 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median occupational therapy assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Phoenix, AZ
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $64,720
- Massage Therapist — $63,080
- Dental Assistant — $49,760
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $47,890
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $47,320
- Medical Assistant — $46,830
- Phlebotomist — $46,260
- Nursing Assistant — $45,290
- Pharmacy Aide — $43,360
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $38,710
- Orderly — $37,380
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $36,930