Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Little Rock, AR: $45,822 (2026)
Quick Answer:New occupational therapy assistants entering the Little Rock, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $45,822 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Little Rock's local price level (BEA RPP 89.4 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $51,276 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($80,932) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the occupational therapy assistant field in Little Rock, Arkansas, can anticipate a starting occupational therapy assistant salary of around $45,822 in 2026. While this figure is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $80,932, early-career professionals can expect to progress within a few years. Specifically, entry-level positions typically offer growth to approximately $63,814 within three to five years, making Little Rock an attractive market for new grads. With an annual growth rate of 2.81%, there are solid indicators that positions for entry-level occupational therapy assistants will evolve positively in this region, providing a pathway for recent graduates to build promising careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Little Rock
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Rock
Entry-level occupational therapy assistants in Little Rock, AR typically start between $45,822 and $63,814 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $57,708 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $80,932 — 8.88% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average occupational therapy program cost in Arkansas of $12,000 represents just 26.19% of the starting occupational therapy assistant pay ($45,822/year) in Little Rock. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACOTE-accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school settings.
OTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Little Rock
- 1Research the Little Rock market: entry-level occupational therapy assistant pay ranges from $45,822 to $63,814, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the occupational therapy field — employers in AR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Little Rock, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Little Rock for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Little Rock's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Compensation Range
The occupational therapy assistant wage spread in Little Rock is $57,708 ( 125.94%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $45,822, experienced hygienists can earn up to $103,530.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,030
2025 BLS Actual
$44,570
2026 Current Est.
$45,822
2019–2027 Growth
+14.8%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,822 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,110 | Projected |
Entry-level occupational therapy assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Little Rock, AR grew 8.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $41,030 in 2019 to $44,570 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $47,110. New graduates entering the Little Rock job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock 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.
Starting Your occupational therapy Career in Little Rock
In Little Rock, employers actively hiring recent graduates include skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), which frequently recruit new COTAs, particularly those interested in rehabilitation roles. Additionally, school districts offer appealing positions for those seeking work that allows for summers off, while outpatient clinics may prefer experienced candidates but are willing to train new hires, especially those who can support pediatric or hand therapy needs. To enhance their starting pay in Arkansas, it is essential for new graduates to obtain credentials such as an associate's degree from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, pass the NBCOT national exam, and secure a state OTA license. The impact of the 15% Medicare Part B cut on OTA-provided services since 2022 has made it critical for new COTAs to navigate their first years strategically. Expectations for salary growth within the first three years in this market should take these dynamics into consideration, coupled with staying informed through professional networks such as the AOTA and pursuing advanced practice areas for development.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for occupational therapy assistants in Little Rock in 2026?
How fast do occupational therapy assistant salaries grow in Little Rock?
Is occupational therapy school worth it in Little Rock?
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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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new occupational therapy graduates. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Little Rock. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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