Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Jacksonville, AR: $64,128 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Jacksonville, AR earns a median $64,128/year (≈ $30.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Jacksonville's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $73,795 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career as an occupational therapy assistant in Jacksonville, AR, the 2026 projected annual salary stands at $64,128, reflecting a strong local market despite being approximately 13.73% lower than the national median of $74,332. Professionals in this field can expect compensation ranging from $47,163 at the entry-level (P10) to $77,874 at the higher end of the scale (P90). These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, indicating the economic context for occupational therapy assistant pay in Jacksonville. As COTAs in this area evaluate their career growth, the transition to a Master’s level Occupational Therapy (MOT) can significantly enhance lifetime earnings, particularly as they adapt to the changing compensation dynamics in local healthcare settings.
About the Jacksonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,163 | $22.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,146 | $26.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,128 | $30.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,815 | $33.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,874 | $37.44 |
Median Salary Position
13.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, AR, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,711 (2026 est.). At $64,128, the local median is 13.73% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jacksonville: You'd be above the median
How Jacksonville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Jacksonville median: $64,128/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jacksonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $64,580 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -13.73% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Jacksonville, AR earn a median of $64,128 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.73% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.70% below the Arkansas state average of $64,580.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jacksonville 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.
Jacksonville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,128 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,795 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$53,066
2025 BLS Actual
$62,375
2026 Current Est.
$64,128
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,066 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,256 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,811 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,038 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,375 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,128 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,930 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,066 (2019) to $62,375 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,930 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,864 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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) | $47,163 – $55,146 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,146 – $64,128 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,128 – $69,815 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,815 – $77,874 |
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 Jacksonville
The job market in Jacksonville currently employs seven occupational therapy assistants, revealing a modest but steady demand for these professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 86.9, the purchasing power for salaries here might stretch a bit further compared to national averages. Key employers in the region include skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics, with those in the hospital sector typically offering higher wages due to increased productivity demands and favorable reimbursement structures. The stark pay range within Jacksonville can be attributed to varying service settings, productivity expectations, and the residual impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that has affected salaries in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient environments since 2022. To maximize pay, aspiring COTAs should consider positions within high-demand sectors, explore year-round job opportunities, or take on additional weekend shifts or PRN roles, all of which can enhance their overall earnings while navigating Jacksonville's compensation landscape.
More salary data for Jacksonville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Jacksonville, AR in 2026?
Is Jacksonville, AR a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Jacksonville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Jacksonville?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Jacksonville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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 $62,375 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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