Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Montgomery, AL: $67,322 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Montgomery, AL earns a median $67,322/year (≈ $32.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Montgomery's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $76,589 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% above the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Montgomery, Alabama can expect a median annual salary of $67,322 in 2026, which represents a notable alignment with local productivity expectations. The full salary range spans from $43,368 at the 10th percentile to $85,228 at the 90th percentile, with figures derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost fluctuations. Despite the local median trailing behind the national figure of $74,332, the job environment in Montgomery remains competitive, especially considering the anticipated growth rate of 2.81% over the next five years. With 32 occupational therapy assistants employed in the area, the local market balances its salary offerings against real-time demands and the cost of living in Montgomery, contributing to unique career considerations.
About the Montgomery Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,368 | $20.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,764 | $27.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,322 | $32.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,341 | $35.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,228 | $40.98 |
Median Salary Position
9.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montgomery
In Montgomery, AL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,860 (2026 est.). At $67,322, the local median is 9.43% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Montgomery: You'd be above the median
How Montgomery Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Montgomery median: $67,322/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montgomery Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $65,361 | +3.00% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -9.43% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Montgomery, AL earn a median of $67,322 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.43% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.00% above the Alabama state average of $65,361.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montgomery 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.
Montgomery, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,322 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,589 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,710
2025 BLS Actual
$65,482
2026 Current Est.
$67,322
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Montgomery (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,005 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,909 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,191 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,691 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,482 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,322 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,214 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montgomery metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $55,710 (2019) to $65,482 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,214 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,504 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montgomery 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) | $43,368 – $57,764 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,764 – $67,322 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,322 – $74,341 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,341 – $85,228 |
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 Montgomery
Examining the factors influencing the occupational therapy assistant pay in Montgomery, AL reveals a modest cost of living index of 87.9. This indicates a favorable purchasing power for salaries as they relate to everyday expenses. The highest-paying positions for COTAs are typically found in hospital inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities, where reimbursement rates are generally more favorable compared to outpatient clinics and school districts, which are often impacted by the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut instituted in 2022. The variance in compensation can be attributed to several elements, including weekend and PRN premiums, workload expectations, and whether one is contracted during school years or year-round. To maximize earnings in this market, occupational therapy assistants should seek employers who advocate for higher reimbursement rates and consider branching into settings that traditionally offer better pay scales.
More salary data for Montgomery, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Montgomery, AL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Montgomery?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Montgomery?
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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 $65,482 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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