Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Benton, AR: $63,281 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Benton, AR earns a median $63,281/year (≈ $30.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Benton's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $72,820 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Benton, Arkansas, the compensation for occupational therapy assistants reflects a nuanced job market impacted by various healthcare settings. The projected median annual salary in 2026 is $63,281, with the overall salary range extending from $44,861 to $75,186. This projection, derived from 2025 BLS data, indicates a notable variance in pay depending on the work environment. Skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and outpatient clinics may offer different compensation structures, particularly as industry shifts follow the recent Medicare cuts. The differing payment environments reveal how much do occupational therapy assistants make in Benton, highlighting the ongoing adjustments in the healthcare field.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,861 | $21.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,376 | $25.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,281 | $30.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,881 | $32.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,186 | $36.15 |
Median Salary Position
14.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Benton
In Benton, AR, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,325 (2026 est.). At $63,281, the local median is 14.87% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Benton: You'd be above the median
How Benton Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Benton median: $63,281/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Benton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $64,572 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.87% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Benton, AR earn a median of $63,281 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.87% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $64,572.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Benton has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Benton, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,281 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,820 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,365
2025 BLS Actual
$61,551
2026 Current Est.
$63,281
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,365 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,583 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,552 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,698 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,047 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,377 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,551 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,281 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,059 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Benton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,365 (2019) to $61,551 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,059 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,694 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Benton 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) | $44,861 – $53,376 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,376 – $63,281 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,281 – $67,881 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,881 – $75,186 |
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 Benton
Looking deeper into the local job market, Benton is home to five occupational therapy assistants, indicating a relatively tight labor pool. The cost of living, indexed at 86.9, suggests that the purchasing power of these salaries may stretch farther than in areas with a higher index. Employers in hospital inpatient rehab and outpatient clinics tend to offer more competitive rates compared to skilled nursing facilities, which have felt the sting of reduced Medicare reimbursement rates. Moreover, various factors such as weekend and PRN premiums, alongside school versus year-round positions, can create disparities in pay. For those seeking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Benton AR, targeting high-demand settings like hospitals or exploring contract opportunities with school districts may prove advantageous, especially in light of the existing market dynamics.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
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 $61,551 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Benton 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 Benton 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