Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Gadsden, AL: $63,213 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Gadsden, AL earns a median $63,213/year (≈ $30.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Gadsden's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $71,915 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $63,213 for 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Gadsden, Alabama, are positioned competitively, though still below the national median of $74,332. The local salary range spans from $48,984 at the 10th percentile to $77,460 at the 90th percentile, highlighting considerable variability dependent on experience, setting, and productivity factors. These figures reflect estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adapted for regional cost adjustments, indicating that while Gadsden offers promising compensation, the overall pay scale may be influenced by local employment conditions and healthcare funding scenarios.
About the Gadsden Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,984 | $23.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,202 | $27.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,213 | $30.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,244 | $33.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,460 | $37.24 |
Median Salary Position
14.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gadsden
In Gadsden, AL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,476 (2026 est.). At $63,213, the local median is 14.96% below the national median of $74,332.
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How Gadsden Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Gadsden median: $63,213/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gadsden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $65,370 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.96% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Gadsden, AL earn a median of $63,213 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.96% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.30% below the Alabama state average of $65,370.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gadsden 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.
Gadsden, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,213 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,915 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,170
2025 BLS Actual
$61,485
2026 Current Est.
$63,213
2019–2027 Growth
+4.5%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Gadsden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,525 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,496 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,639 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,986 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,324 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,485 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,213 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,989 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gadsden metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew -1.1% from $62,170 (2019) to $61,485 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,989 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,819 (4.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gadsden 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) | $48,984 – $56,202 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,202 – $63,213 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,213 – $69,244 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,244 – $77,460 |
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 Gadsden
Job opportunities for occupational therapy assistants in Gadsden are somewhat limited, with only seven currently employed in the area. The low cost-of-living index of 87.9 enhances the purchasing power of the salaries in this region. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics typically offer higher pay compared to schools and early intervention programs. Factors that contribute to variations in compensation include the shifts in productivity expectations, as well as the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting OTA services. For those seeking to maximize occupational therapy assistant pay in Gadsden, pursuing positions in more lucrative settings, exploring PRN opportunities, or considering weekend shifts can be beneficial strategies in this specific market.
More salary data for Gadsden, 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 $61,485 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Gadsden 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 Gadsden 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