Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Mobile, AL: $63,999 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Mobile, AL earns a median $63,999/year (≈ $30.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Mobile's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.1), that paycheck buys what $72,645 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Mobile, Alabama, are anticipated to earn a median annual salary of $63,999 in 2026, a figure that is notably below the national median of $74,332. Salary projections indicate a range from $54,181 at the 10th percentile to as high as $85,106 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse compensation levels based on experience and workplace settings. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS information, highlights how local productivity expectations and the number of therapy visits per day can significantly influence pay, particularly in a market characterized by its specific demand. With just 40 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in the area, the job landscape may evolve as a greater emphasis is placed on rehabilitation services, potentially leading to increased opportunities and compensation adjustments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,181 | $26.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,360 | $29.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,999 | $30.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,935 | $36.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,106 | $40.92 |
Median Salary Position
13.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mobile
In Mobile, AL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,925 (2026 est.). At $63,999, the local median is 13.9% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Mobile: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mobile Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Mobile median: $63,999/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mobile Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $65,305 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -13.90% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Mobile, AL earn a median of $63,999 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.90% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.00% below the Alabama state average of $65,305.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mobile has a cost of living 11.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mobile, AL has a cost-of-living index of 88.098 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,999 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,645 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,960
2025 BLS Actual
$62,250
2026 Current Est.
$63,999
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Mobile (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,191 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,149 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,319 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,695 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,688 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,999 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,798 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mobile metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,960 (2019) to $62,250 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,798 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,838 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mobile 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) | $54,181 – $60,360 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,360 – $63,999 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,999 – $75,935 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,935 – $85,106 |
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 Mobile
In terms of local context, the cost-of-living index in Mobile stands at 88.098, suggesting that expenses are lower than the national average, which can enhance the take-home pay of occupational therapy assistant salaries in Mobile, AL. The local job market primarily features employment opportunities in skilled nursing facilities, where salaries may fluctuate due to factors such as federal reimbursement cuts and productivity expectations. Employers that engage COTAs, especially in inpatient rehab and outpatient settings, may show a wider salary range influenced by local demands. To maximize earning potential, occupational therapy assistants in Mobile might consider roles that offer weekend or PRN pay, as well as exploring school-year contracts for more stable income options. Given the ongoing impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services and its effect on job settings, focusing on diverse practice areas can help in optimizing overall compensation.
More salary data for Mobile, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Mobile?
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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 $62,250 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Mobile 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, 2-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