Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Jonesboro, AR: $80,870 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Jonesboro, AR earns a median $80,870/year (≈ $38.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Jonesboro's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $94,171 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 25.2% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
According to 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant in Jonesboro, Arkansas, is $80,870. This figure not only surpasses the national median of $74,332 by 8.80%, but it also reflects the competitive nature of this growing occupation within the region. With a salary range spanning from $54,253 at the 10th percentile to $95,778 at the 90th percentile, there is significant earning potential in this field. As many professionals consider pursuing the COTA-to-MOT bridge pathway, the increased investment in education can lead to substantial lifetime earning increases, carving out a rewarding career path in Jonesboro's healthcare environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,253 | $26.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,430 | $32.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,870 | $38.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,800 | $40.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,778 | $46.05 |
Median Salary Position
8.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jonesboro
In Jonesboro, AR, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,525 (2026 est.). At $80,870, the local median is 8.8% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Jonesboro: You'd be above the median
How Jonesboro Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Jonesboro median: $80,870/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jonesboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $64,593 | +25.20% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +8.80% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Jonesboro, AR earn a median of $80,870 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.80% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 25.20% above the Arkansas state average of $64,593.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jonesboro has a cost of living 14.12% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jonesboro, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.876 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $80,870 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,171 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.45% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,750
2025 BLS Actual
$78,660
2026 Current Est.
$80,870
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Jonesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,477 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,870 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,143 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jonesboro metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 23.4% from $63,750 (2019) to $78,660 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,143 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,393 (30.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jonesboro 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) | $54,253 – $68,430 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,430 – $80,870 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,870 – $83,800 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,800 – $95,778 |
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 Jonesboro
When assessing the local job market, it’s noteworthy that there are currently 90 occupational therapy assistants employed in Jonesboro, a number that supports continued growth in the field. The cost-of-living index in Jonesboro stands at 85.876, which enhances the take-home pay of those in this position, allowing for a more favorable purchasing power compared to many other regions. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers tend to offer the highest pay scales, influenced by demand and service settings. The disparity between the lower and higher end of the pay spectrum can be attributed to factors such as specific work settings, productivity standards, and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, which began affecting compensation strategies since 2022. To maximize earnings, occupational therapy assistants in Jonesboro should seek opportunities in high-demand settings, consider additional credentials, and if possible, opt for roles that include year-round contracts for consistent income stability.
More salary data for Jonesboro, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Jonesboro?
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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 $78,660 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Jonesboro 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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