Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Pelham, AL: $60,422 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Pelham, AL earns a median $60,422/year (≈ $29.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Pelham's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $68,739 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Pelham, Alabama, earn a median annual salary of $60,422, a figure that reflects the local economic conditions and trends affecting the rehabilitation industry. This salary sits notably below the national median of $74,332, illustrating the challenges faced by professionals in this region. The overall salary range spans from $46,917 at the 10th percentile to $70,061 at the 90th percentile, indicating varied earning potentials depending on experience and employment settings. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, further emphasize the different environments in which occupational therapy assistants work. These figures reveal a structured divide, particularly as post-Medicare cuts have shifted compensation dynamics, influencing earnings across skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and educational institutions in Pelham’s job market.
About the Pelham Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,917 | $22.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,555 | $25.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,422 | $29.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,289 | $30.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,061 | $33.68 |
Median Salary Position
18.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pelham
In Pelham, AL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,144 (2026 est.). At $60,422, the local median is 18.71% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pelham: You'd be above the median
How Pelham Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Pelham median: $60,422/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pelham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $65,322 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -18.71% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Pelham, AL earn a median of $60,422 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.71% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.50% below the Alabama state average of $65,322.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pelham 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.
Pelham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $60,422 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,739 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,000
2025 BLS Actual
$58,771
2026 Current Est.
$60,422
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Pelham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,162 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,179 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,227 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,471 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,147 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,771 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,422 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,120 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pelham metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $50,000 (2019) to $58,771 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,120 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,120 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pelham 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) | $46,917 – $53,555 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,555 – $60,422 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,422 – $64,289 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,289 – $70,061 |
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 Pelham
The local employment scenario is relatively small, with only four occupational therapy assistants currently in the area, suggesting a limited but potentially stable job market. Pelham's cost-of-living index of 87.9 indicates that residents can stretch their earnings further than in many other locations, which may somewhat offset the lower salary levels. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities often offer better pay compared to school district contracts, but the impact of the 15% Medicare cut on OTA-provided services continues to compress earnings across settings. Factors like productivity expectations, the nature of contracts, and weekend or PRN premiums play crucial roles in the pay variance. For occupational therapy assistants looking to maximize their earnings in Pelham, it can be beneficial to seek positions in inpatient rehabilitation facilities or explore advanced certifications to expand their qualifications. Building a robust professional network may also open doors to potential contract work, particularly in private practice or home health agencies.
More salary data for Pelham, 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 $58,771 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Pelham 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 Pelham 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