Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Covington, KY: $31.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Covington, KY runs $31.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,497 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Covington's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,300 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Covington, Kentucky, the projected hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant is set at $31.49 in 2026, a figure that falls below the national median of $35.74 per hour. This hourly rate provides a solid income platform for both part-time employment and per-diem positions, which are common in various healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. Those entering the field can expect to earn around $22.83 at the lower end, while more experienced professionals may reach rates as high as $36.66 per hour. Given that these hourly figures are derived from projected annual salary estimates, they offer insight into the expected earnings landscape for occupational therapy assistants working across a range of scenarios in Covington.
About the Covington Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.83 | $182.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.84 | $214.75 |
| Median (P50) | $31.49 | $251.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.41 | $267.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.66 | $293.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Covington
Based on $31.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.49/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Covington, KY can expect to earn approximately $65,501 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,789. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Covington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Covington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,259.63 | $5,458 | $65,501 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $755.78 | $3,275 | $39,300 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $503.85 | $2,183 | $26,200 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Covington) | $31.49 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Covington, KY earn a median of $65,497 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.30% below the Kentucky state average of $66,360.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.49/hr = $39,300/year (purchasing power: $44,009).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,501/year (purchasing power: $73,349).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Covington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Covington grew 17.5% from $26.06/hr (2019) to $30.63/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.38/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Covington 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.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Covington
For part-time occupational therapy assistants working three days a week, the annual income can vary significantly compared to full-time employment. With a weekly schedule totaling 24 hours, a COTA would earn approximately $39,000 annually, which illustrates a feasible option for those balancing other commitments or studies. Per-diem or agency positions further complicate the pay equation; although per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Covington tends to range from $30 to $45 per hour, travel contracts can command upwards of $1,100 to $1,700 per week depending on the location and demand. Meanwhile, the impact of the 15% Medicare cut introduced in 2022 has tempered premium pay in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics. The variety of hourly rates across different employer types, such as schools versus outpatient clinics, underscores the benefits trade-off—where some COTAs may prioritize job security and health benefits over higher hourly wages without those advantages. Effective negotiation is advisable, with local market knowledge and understanding of current reimbursement rates playing key roles in securing the best possible compensation for occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Covington, KY.
More salary data for Covington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Covington in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Covington?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Covington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Covington?
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Career Resources
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Covington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Covington 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