Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Auburn, AL: $63,875 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Auburn, AL earns a median $63,875/year (≈ $30.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $72,668 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Auburn, Alabama, can expect a median annual salary of $63,875 in 2026, as projected based on 2025 BLS data. This salary places the local compensation relatively lower than the national median of $74,332, reflecting a difference of 14.07%. The salary range spans from $46,933 at the 10th percentile to $79,221 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide variance in pay depending on various factors such as experience, setting, and specialized roles. This data is adjusted according to the regional cost of living, allowing insight into how much COTAs can earn versus their expenses. Notably, the job market in Auburn is evolving, presenting opportunities for growth and advancement in the field.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,933 | $22.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,172 | $26.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,875 | $30.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,705 | $34.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,221 | $38.09 |
Median Salary Position
14.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
In Auburn, AL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,288 (2026 est.). At $63,875, the local median is 14.07% below the national median of $74,332.
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How Auburn Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Auburn median: $63,875/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $65,312 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.07% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Auburn, AL earn a median of $63,875 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.07% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.20% below the Alabama state average of $65,312.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,875 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,668 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,857
2025 BLS Actual
$62,129
2026 Current Est.
$63,875
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,857 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,086 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,046 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,211 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,583 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,129 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,875 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,670 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,857 (2019) to $62,129 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,670 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,813 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,933 – $55,172 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,172 – $63,875 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,875 – $71,705 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,705 – $79,221 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Auburn
In 2026, there are currently 16 occupational therapy assistants employed in Auburn, suggesting a localized but essential workforce. With a cost-of-living index of 87.9, the purchasing power allows for a comfortable living despite salaries being slightly below the national average. Facilities such as skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation services typically offer the most competitive pay, often due to higher patient loads and productivity expectations. Conversely, school districts usually provide lower compensation relative to other settings. The current pay disparity can also be attributed to the impacts of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut initiated in 2022, affecting service rates and employee salaries. To maximize earnings in Auburn, COTAs may consider pursuing the COTA-to-MOT bridge pathway for better qualifications or seek positions in the rehabilitation sector, where demand remains robust.
More salary data for Auburn, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Auburn, AL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Auburn?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Auburn?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $62,129 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Auburn metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Auburn 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