Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Russellville, AR: $62,428 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Russellville, AR earns a median $62,428/year (≈ $30.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Russellville's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $71,839 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected occupational therapy assistant salary in Russellville, Arkansas, is set at $62,428, which reflects local productivity expectations and patient visit rates driving effective compensation. The salary range spans from $48,269 at the 10th percentile to $76,373 at the 90th percentile, allowing for a diverse earning potential within the profession. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, indicate a median hourly wage of $30.01. Comparatively, occupational therapy assistant pay in Russellville AR is approximately 16.01% below the national median of $74,332, signaling both local market conditions and the broader economic context influencing income levels. Understanding these figures can help prospective COTAs gauge the financial viability of pursuing this career in Russellville.
About the Russellville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,269 | $23.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,426 | $26.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,428 | $30.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,307 | $32.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,373 | $36.71 |
Median Salary Position
16.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Russellville
In Russellville, AR, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,104 (2026 est.). At $62,428, the local median is 16.01% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Russellville: You'd be above the median
How Russellville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Russellville median: $62,428/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Russellville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $64,626 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -16.01% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Russellville, AR earn a median of $62,428 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.01% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.40% below the Arkansas state average of $64,626.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Russellville 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.
Russellville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,428 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,839 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,660
2025 BLS Actual
$60,722
2026 Current Est.
$62,428
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Russellville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,861 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,845 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,961 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,279 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,712 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,722 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,428 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,183 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Russellville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,660 (2019) to $60,722 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,183 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,523 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Russellville 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) | $48,269 – $55,426 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,426 – $62,428 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,428 – $68,307 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,307 – $76,373 |
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 Russellville
In terms of local employment dynamics, Russellville has a modest workforce of six occupational therapy assistants, which presents a unique scenario for job seekers in the area. The cost of living index stands at 86.9, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power for COTAs can be more favorable given the lower expenses associated with living in Russellville. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics tend to offer the most competitive wages, but variations in pay can occur based on factors such as job setting and weekly performance expectations, including productivity-driven pay structures. Notably, the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA-provided services from 2022 continues to diffuse across compensation packages, especially in outpatient and skilled nursing environments. To maximize earnings, COTAs should focus on seeking roles in higher-paying sectors, consider continuing education pathways such as the COTA-to-MOT bridge, and be strategic about contract negotiations, particularly for school-based or year-round positions that may offer different financial incentives.
More salary data for Russellville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Russellville?
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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 $60,722 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Russellville 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 Russellville 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