Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Phenix City, AL: $64,293 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Phenix City, AL earns a median $64,293/year (≈ $30.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Phenix City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $73,143 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Phenix City, AL, the occupational therapy assistant salary landscape reflects the nuanced challenges following changes in Medicare reimbursement rates. A median annual salary of $64,293 for this role is noteworthy, especially when considering the full pay range, which spans from $49,423 at the lowest decile to $74,673 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and account for local cost-of-living adjustments. For occupational therapy assistants, the type of facility can greatly influence earnings, with skilled nursing facilities and hospital settings typically offering more competitive compensation compared to schools and outpatient clinics, particularly in the wake of the 15% Medicare cut that impacted many services in recent years.
About the Phenix City Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,423 | $23.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,069 | $27.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,293 | $30.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,922 | $32.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,673 | $35.90 |
Median Salary Position
13.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Phenix City
In Phenix City, AL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,250 (2026 est.). At $64,293, the local median is 13.51% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Phenix City: You'd be above the median
How Phenix City Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Phenix City median: $64,293/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Phenix City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $65,339 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -13.51% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Phenix City, AL earn a median of $64,293 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.51% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.60% below the Alabama state average of $65,339.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Phenix City 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.
Phenix City, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,293 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,143 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,203
2025 BLS Actual
$62,536
2026 Current Est.
$64,293
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Phenix City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,203 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,393 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,573 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,167 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,536 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,293 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,100 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Phenix City metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,203 (2019) to $62,536 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,100 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,897 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Phenix City 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) | $49,423 – $57,069 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,069 – $64,293 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,293 – $67,922 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,922 – $74,673 |
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 Phenix City
With only seven occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Phenix City, the local job market presents a unique scenario for potential workers. The area's cost-of-living index sits at 87.9, indicating that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national median, the purchasing power for residents can be more favorable. Major employers like hospitals and skilled nursing facilities generally provide the best pay, with workplace conditions driving a variance in compensation. Factors such as productivity expectations, weekend and PRN premiums, and the differences between school-year and year-round contracts all contribute to the salary spread. To optimize earnings in this market, it is advisable for COTAs to seek roles in healthcare settings that are more insulated from recent cuts, pursue additional certifications, or explore bridging programs to higher education, such as COTA to MOT pathways.
More salary data for Phenix City, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Phenix City?
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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 $62,536 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Phenix City 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 Phenix City 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