Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Springdale, AR: $84,484 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Springdale, AR earns a median $84,484/year (≈ $40.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Springdale's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $97,220 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 30.8% above the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Springdale, Arkansas, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants stands at $84,484 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $74,332. This competitive pay reflects the ongoing adjustments to local market dynamics, particularly in light of the structural divide between skilled nursing facilities, school settings, and hospital care amid challenges from recent Medicare cuts. Salary ranges for this profession extend from $59,210 at the 10th percentile to $104,444 at the 90th percentile. With numbers generated from state-level BLS estimates and regional cost adjustments, Springdale's occupational therapy assistant pay can offer a favorable livelihood, particularly compared to neighboring areas, but the market does face pressures from reimbursement cutbacks and productivity metrics post-reform.
About the Springdale Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,210 | $28.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,759 | $34.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,484 | $40.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,594 | $44.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,444 | $50.21 |
Median Salary Position
13.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springdale
In Springdale, AR, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,234 (2026 est.). At $84,484, the local median is 13.66% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Springdale: You'd be above the median
How Springdale Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Springdale median: $84,484/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Springdale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $64,590 | +30.80% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +13.66% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Springdale, AR earn a median of $84,484 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.66% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 30.80% above the Arkansas state average of $64,590.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Springdale 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.
Springdale, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $84,484 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,220 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,911
2025 BLS Actual
$82,175
2026 Current Est.
$84,484
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Springdale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,911 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,537 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,161 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,026 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,162 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,678 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,175 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,484 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,858 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Springdale metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $69,911 (2019) to $82,175 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,858 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,947 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springdale 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) | $59,210 – $70,759 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,759 – $84,484 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,484 – $92,594 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,594 – $104,444 |
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 Springdale
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Springdale comprises approximately 14 professionals, indicating a focused yet competitive landscape. The cost of living, measured at an index of 86.9, suggests that take-home pay can stretch further than in many other regions, making the financial climate more appealing for those in the field. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers tend to offer the highest compensation, while setting types impact overall earnings potential. The discrepancy in pay often arises from variations in expectation levels—hospital roles typically demand more intensive productivity compared to school occupations. To optimize earnings, occupational therapy assistants should consider seeking positions in settings that offer year-round contracts, as well as explore additional opportunities in outpatient clinics and home health agencies, especially against the backdrop of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that continues to influence the pay scale in other areas of practice.
More salary data for Springdale, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Springdale?
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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 $82,175 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Springdale 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 Springdale 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