Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Van Buren, AR: $59,959 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Van Buren, AR earns a median $59,959/year (≈ $28.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Van Buren's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $68,998 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Van Buren, Arkansas, can expect a median annual salary of $59,959 in 2026, which reflects local market conditions and productivity expectations from employers. The salary range spans from $46,933 at the 10th percentile to $72,139 at the 90th percentile, illustrating potential earnings for those in the field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, highlight a growing demand for COTAs in the region. The compensation landscape emphasizes the importance of visits per day as a key factor influencing productivity and overall salary, revealing a competitive job market in Van Buren.
About the Van Buren Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,933 | $22.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,417 | $25.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,959 | $28.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,236 | $31.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,139 | $34.68 |
Median Salary Position
19.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Van Buren
In Van Buren, AR, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,206 (2026 est.). At $59,959, the local median is 19.34% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Van Buren: You'd be above the median
How Van Buren Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Van Buren median: $59,959/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Van Buren Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $64,611 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -19.34% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Van Buren, AR earn a median of $59,959 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.34% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.20% below the Arkansas state average of $64,611.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Van Buren 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.
Van Buren, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $59,959 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,998 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,616
2025 BLS Actual
$58,320
2026 Current Est.
$59,959
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Van Buren (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,616 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,794 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,827 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,053 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,785 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,959 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,644 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Van Buren metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $49,616 (2019) to $58,320 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,644 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,028 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Van Buren 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) | $46,933 – $53,417 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,417 – $59,959 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,959 – $65,236 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,236 – $72,139 |
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 Van Buren
With only five occupational therapy assistants currently employed in the area, the job market faces specific dynamics. The cost of living index for Van Buren stands at 86.9, indicating that overall living expenses are relatively lower than national averages, which can positively impact take-home pay. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest wages, while school districts and outpatient clinics may present different compensation structures influenced by factors such as the recent 15% cut in Medicare reimbursement for OTA services. The variance between lower and higher salaries is driven by settings—such as hospitals generally providing more pay than schools—as well as productivity expectations and potential weekend or PRN premiums. To maximize earnings, COTAs in Van Buren should consider pursuing positions in higher-paying settings and seeking opportunities that leverage productivity or offer year-round contracts, especially given the market's growth rate of 2.81%.
More salary data for Van Buren, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Van Buren, AR in 2026?
Is Van Buren, AR a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Van Buren?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Van Buren?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Van Buren?
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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 $58,320 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Van Buren 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 Van Buren 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