Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Nicholasville, KY: $31.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Nicholasville, KY runs $31.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,374 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Nicholasville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,223 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Nicholasville, Kentucky, occupational therapy assistants earn a median hourly rate of $31.43, which lags behind the national median of $35.74. This competitive rate is vital for both full-time and part-time COTAs, especially those working three days a week or engaging in per-diem assignments across typical settings like skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and school therapy rooms. With an hourly range that spans from $22.66 for entry-level positions to $36.48 for the highest earners, COTAs in Nicholasville have opportunities to tailor their work schedules effectively according to their personal needs and career goals. The hourly estimates reflect annual salary data converted for weekly and part-time work, allowing occupational therapy assistants to fit their careers into diverse lifestyles and financial plans.
About the Nicholasville 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) | $22.66 | $181.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.72 | $213.76 |
| Median (P50) | $31.43 | $251.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.26 | $266.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.48 | $291.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nicholasville
Based on $31.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.43/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nicholasville, KY can expect to earn approximately $65,372 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,715. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nicholasville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nicholasville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,257.16 | $5,448 | $65,372 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $754.30 | $3,269 | $39,223 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $502.86 | $2,179 | $26,149 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Nicholasville) | $31.43 |
| 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 Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $65,374 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.05% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $66,369.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.43/hr = $39,223/year (purchasing power: $43,923).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,372/year (purchasing power: $73,205).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Nicholasville grew 17.5% from $26.01/hr (2019) to $30.57/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.31/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 Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville
For COTAs opting for part-time work, those putting in 24 hours a week could expect to take home approximately $39,188 annually, which is significantly lower than what full-time counterparts make. Per-diem positions are also common in this field; however, they come with unique earning dynamics. While per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Nicholasville ranges from $30 to $45 an hour, travel contracts can offer even higher compensation, averaging between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly. Shifts at skilled nursing facilities and hospitals may provide lower hourly rates compared to school or outpatient settings but often include benefits that can be appealing to some, balancing the trade-off between direct pay and job security. Negotiating one's salary in Nicholasville requires an understanding of each employer's compensation structure, particularly post-2022 Medicare adjustments that have affected therapy-related reimbursements. COTAs should also consider their unique value propositions, especially as competition in the market pushes hourly pay for less desirable shifts or locations.
More salary data for Nicholasville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Nicholasville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Nicholasville?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Nicholasville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Nicholasville?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Nicholasville?
Related Pages
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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 Nicholasville. 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 Nicholasville 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