Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Arkansas: $79,287 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $79,287/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $91,239 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rogers ($82,234), Springdale ($82,175), Fayetteville ($80,910).
In Arkansas, the projected average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 is $79,287, surpassing the national median of $74,332 by 6.7%. The highest-paying city is Rogers, where salaries are expected to reach $84,545, while Van Buren offers the lowest at $59,959, reflecting a significant salary gap of $24,586. This disparity can be attributed to variations in the cost of living, demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in different areas. The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Arkansas is supported by state licensing requirements that ensure qualified professionals can meet local healthcare needs. The demand for these roles is largely driven by an aging population and an increasing focus on rehabilitation services, leading to a projected annual growth rate of 2.81%. Other cities, such as Springdale at $84,484 and Fayetteville at $83,184, also show promising salary levels, reinforcing that opportunities for occupational therapy assistants are expanding across the state. With a total employment of 627 in this field, the outlook remains positive as healthcare needs continue to evolve.
Arkansas Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $42,910 (lowest entry-level) to $114,499 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas occupational therapy assistants earn 6.67% more than the national median (+$4,955/year difference).
Arkansas Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Arkansas range from $51,529 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $100,522 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $79,287. The Arkansas median is $4,955 above the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $38.12/hr. Approximately 627 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,963
2025 BLS Actual
$77,120
2026 Current Est.
$79,287
2019–2027 Growth
+33.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,963 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,653 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,565 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,141 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,003 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,059 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,287 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,515 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 26.5% from $60,963 (2019) to $77,120 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,515 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,552 (33.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Van Buren | $59,959 |
| Bryant | $61,037 |
| Searcy | $61,499 |
| Cabot | $62,148 |
| Russellville | $62,428 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers | $84,545 | 86.9 | $97,290 |
| Springdale | $84,484 | 86.9 | $97,220 |
| Fort Smith | $82,927 | 85.888 | $96,552 |
| Jonesboro | $80,870 | 85.876 | $94,171 |
| Texarkana | $81,275 | 86.9 | $93,527 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $51,529 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $79,287 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $100,522 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rogers | $84,545 |
| 2 | Springdale | $84,484 |
| 3 | Fayetteville | $83,184 |
| 4 | Fort Smith | $82,927 |
| 5 | Texarkana | $81,275 |
| 6 | Little Rock | $80,932 |
| 7 | Jonesboro | $80,870 |
| 8 | North Little Rock | $79,737 |
| 9 | Conway | $79,213 |
| 10 | Jacksonville | $64,128 |
| 11 | Bentonville | $63,813 |
| 12 | Benton | $63,281 |
| 13 | Hot Springs | $63,221 |
| 14 | Paragould | $63,101 |
| 15 | Pine Bluff | $63,050 |
| 16 | Sherwood | $62,759 |
| 17 | Russellville | $62,428 |
| 18 | Cabot | $62,148 |
| 19 | Searcy | $61,499 |
| 20 | Bryant | $61,037 |
| 21 | Van Buren | $59,959 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Arkansas cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new occupational therapy assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Arkansas?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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