Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Frankfort, KY: $31.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Frankfort, KY runs $31.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,023 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Frankfort's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,018 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Frankfort, Kentucky, occupational therapy assistants earn a median hourly rate of $31.26, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $35.74. This rate affects various work arrangements, particularly for part-time employees who might work three days a week or those pursuing per-diem opportunities. In typical settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school districts, outpatient clinics, and home health environments, the hourly pay reflects experience and employer type. Entry-level positions can start at around $22.29, while top earners can reach up to $39.07, positioning the local compensation structure below the national standard. This disparity can impact decisions on career paths, especially for those considering a transition from a COTA to an MOT to enhance their earning potential.
About the Frankfort 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) | $22.29 | $178.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.36 | $210.88 |
| Median (P50) | $31.26 | $250.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.53 | $268.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.07 | $312.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Frankfort
Based on $31.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.26/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Frankfort, KY can expect to earn approximately $65,030 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,517. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Frankfort.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Frankfort
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,250.58 | $5,419 | $65,030 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $750.35 | $3,252 | $39,018 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $500.23 | $2,168 | $26,012 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Frankfort) | $31.26 |
| 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 Frankfort, KY earn a median of $65,023 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.52% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.00% below the Kentucky state average of $66,350.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.26/hr = $39,018/year (purchasing power: $43,693).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,030/year (purchasing power: $72,822).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Frankfort (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Frankfort grew 17.5% from $25.87/hr (2019) to $30.41/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.14/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 Frankfort 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 Frankfort
For those working part-time, earning potential is notably impacted by their schedule. An occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week would see their annual take-home pay significantly lower than a full-time peer. Conversely, per diem occupational therapy assistants in Frankfort can command varying rates, billing between $30 to $45 per hour. This fluctuating pay structure can lead to substantial weekly earnings, particularly for travel contracts that can yield between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly. However, the pay structures differ across employer types; skilled nursing facilities and healthcare agencies may offer reduced hourly rates due to budget constraints exacerbated by the 15% Medicare cut. As a result, many COTAs opt for positions that provide health insurance, accepting lower hourly rates for job security and benefits. For those negotiating pay in Frankfort, understanding these local dynamics and making informed choices about benefits versus direct pay can greatly influence their career satisfaction and financial well-being.
More salary data for Frankfort, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Frankfort in 2026?
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Are occupational therapy assistants in Frankfort paid hourly or salary?
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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
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 Frankfort. 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 Frankfort 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