Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Daphne, AL: $63,897 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Daphne, AL earns a median $63,897/year (≈ $30.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Daphne's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $72,693 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Daphne, Alabama can expect to earn a median annual salary of $63,897 in 2026, illustrating a competitive compensation framework relative to national standards. The local salary range spans from $45,383 at the 10th percentile to $79,639 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differences, reflect productivity expectations that influence payment structures based on visits-per-day and therapeutic interventions. While Daphne's pay is about 14.04% lower than the national median of $74,332, the local job market remains robust, providing essential support for patients across various healthcare settings.
About the Daphne Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,383 | $21.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,759 | $25.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,897 | $30.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,033 | $32.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,639 | $38.29 |
Median Salary Position
14.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daphne
In Daphne, AL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,256 (2026 est.). At $63,897, the local median is 14.04% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Daphne: You'd be above the median
How Daphne Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Daphne median: $63,897/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daphne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $65,335 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.04% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Daphne, AL earn a median of $63,897 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.04% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.20% below the Alabama state average of $65,335.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daphne 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.
Daphne, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,897 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,693 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,876
2025 BLS Actual
$62,151
2026 Current Est.
$63,897
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Daphne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,876 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,105 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,065 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,231 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,604 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,858 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,151 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,897 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,693 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daphne metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,876 (2019) to $62,151 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,693 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,817 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daphne 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) | $45,383 – $53,759 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,759 – $63,897 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,897 – $67,033 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,033 – $79,639 |
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 Daphne
Analyzing the job market for occupational therapy assistants in Daphne reveals that only six individuals are currently employed in this role, which may limit competition but also emphasizes the niche character of this profession in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 87.9, residents enjoy a relatively affordable lifestyle, enhancing their take-home purchasing power despite the slightly depressed local salary figures. Among the various employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers tend to offer the highest compensation, especially given recent challenges like the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA-provided services. Factors impacting salary variation include the setting of employment, productivity demands, and the effects of seasonal contracts in school districts versus year-round positions in other settings. To maximize occupational therapy assistant pay in Daphne, individuals should consider seeking roles in higher-paying facilities, investing in further certifications, or bridging to occupational therapy through a COTA-to-MOT pathway, which can open up additional job opportunities and salary potential.
More salary data for Daphne, 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 $62,151 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Daphne 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 Daphne 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