Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Birmingham, AL: $64,945 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Birmingham, AL earns a median $64,945/year (≈ $31.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Birmingham's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $70,867 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistant salary in Birmingham, AL, stands at a median of $64,945 for 2026, reflecting the challenges and opportunities within the field. This paycheck, while competitive at first glance, is notably lower than the national median of $74,332, which establishes a distinct context for working in this region. The salary range for Birmingham occupational therapy assistants spans from $51,508 at the lower end to $84,212 at the higher end, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. The financial divide often directly correlates with varying job settings—skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals each present different pay scales, particularly after the Medicare cuts took effect in 2022. Salaries in Birmingham reflect these dynamics, where opportunities might diverge significantly based on the employment landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,508 | $24.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,519 | $30.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,945 | $31.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,763 | $37.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,212 | $40.49 |
Median Salary Position
12.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Birmingham
In Birmingham, AL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,704 (2026 est.). At $64,945, the local median is 12.63% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Birmingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Birmingham Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Birmingham median: $64,945/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Birmingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $65,337 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.63% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Birmingham, AL earn a median of $64,945 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.63% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.60% below the Alabama state average of $65,337.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Birmingham has a cost of living 8.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Birmingham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 91.644 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,945 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,867 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.12% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,330
2025 BLS Actual
$63,170
2026 Current Est.
$64,945
2019–2027 Growth
+3.8%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,945 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,770 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Birmingham metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew -1.8% from $64,330 (2019) to $63,170 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,770 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,440 (3.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Birmingham 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) | $51,508 – $62,519 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,519 – $64,945 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,945 – $78,763 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,763 – $84,212 |
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 Birmingham
With approximately 190 occupational therapy assistants employed in Birmingham, the market shows a steady demand bolstered by a projected annual growth rate of 2.81%. Additionally, the cost of living index in Birmingham is 91.644, which indicates a lower living expense compared to the national average. This index suggests that the purchasing power of assistants may be more favorable than it appears when looking exclusively at salary figures. Employers in the area that tend to offer more competitive compensation include hospital inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient clinics, with school districts typically on the lower end of the pay spectrum. The variance in compensation can be attributed to factors like the productivity expectations placed on COTAs, the impact of weekend or PRN premiums, and the dynamics of school-year versus year-round contracts. For aspiring occupational therapy assistants, considering settings that provide higher pay while remaining mindful of workload and contract terms can effectively enhance overall earnings in this Birmingham market.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $63,170 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Birmingham 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
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