Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Georgia: $75,149 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Georgia's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $75,149/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because Georgia sits at BEA RPP 93.1 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $80,719 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sandy Springs ($79,709), Atlanta ($78,180), Roswell ($76,407).
In Georgia, the average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 is projected to be $75,149, slightly above the national median of $74,332, indicating a positive salary trend in the state with a difference of +1.1%. The salary range across cities shows significant variance, with Sandy Springs at the top earning $81,949, while Griffin falls at the bottom with $64,371, a difference of $17,578. This gap can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. Occupational therapy assistants in Georgia must meet state licensing requirements, which include completing an accredited program and passing a certification exam. The scope of practice laws allows for significant involvement in patient care, making this role vital in various healthcare settings. Demand for occupational therapy services continues to grow, supported by an aging population and an increased focus on rehabilitation, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 2.81% in employment opportunities. The job market in 2026 is expected to remain strong, with total employment for occupational therapy assistants at 1,151 across the state. Key cities projected to have higher salaries include Atlanta at $80,377, Roswell at $78,554, Savannah at $74,147, and Athens at $71,250, reflecting the demand for services in urban areas.
Georgia Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Georgia: $46,084 (lowest entry-level) to $100,727 (highest top earner)
Georgia vs National Average
Georgia occupational therapy assistants earn 1.10% more than the national median (+$817/year difference).
Georgia Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Georgia range from $55,923 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $88,943 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $75,149. The Georgia median is $817 above the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $36.13/hr. Approximately 1,151 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,745
2025 BLS Actual
$73,095
2026 Current Est.
$75,149
2019–2027 Growth
+15.8%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Georgia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,745 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,347 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,673 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,368 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,881 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,095 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,149 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,261 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Georgia metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 9.5% from $66,745 (2019) to $73,095 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,261 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,516 (15.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Georgia 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Georgia
Lowest Paying Cities in Georgia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Griffin | $64,371 |
| Canton | $65,593 |
| Tucker | $65,749 |
| Peachtree City | $65,916 |
| Cartersville | $65,917 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Georgia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Georgia cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy Springs | $81,949 | 93.1 | $88,023 |
| Roswell | $78,554 | 93.1 | $84,376 |
| Atlanta | $80,377 | 100.058 | $80,330 |
| Savannah | $74,147 | 95.206 | $77,881 |
| Athens | $71,250 | 93.1 | $76,531 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Georgia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $55,923 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $75,149 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $88,943 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Georgia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in Georgia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandy Springs | $81,949 |
| 2 | Atlanta | $80,377 |
| 3 | Roswell | $78,554 |
| 4 | Savannah | $74,147 |
| 5 | Athens | $71,250 |
| 6 | Alpharetta | $69,906 |
| 7 | Columbus | $69,855 |
| 8 | South Fulton | $69,824 |
| 9 | Augusta | $69,685 |
| 10 | Brookhaven | $69,198 |
| 11 | Lawrenceville | $68,718 |
| 12 | Statesboro | $68,643 |
| 13 | Warner Robins | $68,563 |
| 14 | Albany | $68,563 |
| 15 | Woodstock | $68,563 |
| 16 | Stockbridge | $68,461 |
| 17 | Pooler | $68,365 |
| 18 | Valdosta | $68,300 |
| 19 | Macon | $68,247 |
| 20 | Marietta | $67,943 |
| 21 | Peachtree Corners | $67,935 |
| 22 | Johns Creek | $67,642 |
| 23 | Hinesville | $67,258 |
| 24 | Evans | $67,124 |
| 25 | Douglasville | $67,059 |
| 26 | Dunwoody | $67,056 |
| 27 | Smyrna | $66,984 |
| 28 | Dalton | $66,791 |
| 29 | McDonough | $66,699 |
| 30 | Newnan | $66,592 |
| 31 | Milton | $66,565 |
| 32 | Kennesaw | $66,066 |
| 33 | Gainesville | $65,974 |
| 34 | Rome | $65,974 |
| 35 | Cartersville | $65,917 |
| 36 | Peachtree City | $65,916 |
| 37 | Tucker | $65,749 |
| 38 | Canton | $65,593 |
| 39 | Griffin | $64,371 |
More Georgia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Georgia cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new occupational therapy assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Compare Cities in Georgia
View all comparisons →Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Georgia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Georgia?
How does Georgia occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Georgia?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Georgia?
Which Georgia city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across Georgia. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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