OT Assistant Salary

Henderson vs Louisville: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Henderson, KY and Louisville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Henderson, KY
$64,915
$31.21/hr
Louisville, KY
$72,368
$34.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHenderson, KYLouisville, KY
Median Salary$64,915$72,368
Hourly Rate$31.21$34.79
Entry Level (P10)$45,832$47,554
25th Percentile$57,127$58,628
75th Percentile$68,100$80,782
Top Earner (P90)$80,906$92,808
Total Employed4132
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Henderson ($64,915) and Louisville ($72,368) occupational therapy assistant salaries.HendersonLouisvilleMedian Salary$64,915$72,368Entry Level (P10)$45,832$47,554Top Earner (P90)$80,906$92,808US Median $74,332

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Henderson.

The salary gap between Henderson and Louisville is $7,453 (11.48%). Louisville's median is -2.64% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Henderson spans $35,074,Louisville spans $45,254. Louisville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Henderson
P10 (Entry)$45,832
P25$57,127
Median$64,915
P75$68,100
P90 (Top)$80,906
Louisville
P10 (Entry)$47,554
P25$58,628
Median$72,368
P75$80,782
P90 (Top)$92,808

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($81,039 effective) pays 11.48% more than Henderson ($72,693 effective).

Henderson
Nominal: $64,915
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $72,693
Louisville
Nominal: $72,368
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $81,039

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Henderson if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,368/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,808)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,039)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Henderson grew 9.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 9.5% growth in Louisville over the same period.

Henderson, KY

+9.5%

$57,639 (2024) → $63,141 (2025)

Louisville, KY

+9.5%

$64,256 (2024) → $70,390 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Henderson or Louisville?

Louisville has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $72,368/year, compared to Henderson at $64,915/year — a difference of $7,453 (11.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Henderson and Louisville?

Henderson occupational therapy assistants earn $31.21/hr while Louisville hygienists earn $34.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Henderson to Louisville as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Henderson and Louisville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Henderson = $72,693, Louisville = $81,039), job availability (4 vs 132 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Henderson vs Louisville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $45,832 in Henderson and $47,554 in Louisville. The Louisville area offers higher starting salaries.
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

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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