Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Atlanta, GA: $80,377 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Atlanta, GA earns a median $80,377/year (≈ $38.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Atlanta's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.1), that paycheck buys what $80,330 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.1% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $80,377 for 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Atlanta, GA, enjoy compensation that is substantially competitive, being 8.13% above the national median of $74,332. The salary range shows considerable variability, from $62,066 at the 10th percentile to $92,519 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the differences in work settings and market demands. This data, drawn from the official BLS OEWS surveys, emphasizes the structural divide in the job market—occupational therapy assistants frequently find their earning potential affected by the type of facility they work in. Following recent Medicare cuts on reimbursements, professionals in skilled nursing facilities may face more challenges compared to those employed in hospital settings or school districts, where compensation structures tend to offer greater stability and potential for higher pay.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,066 | $29.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,976 | $31.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,377 | $38.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,230 | $39.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,519 | $44.48 |
Median Salary Position
8.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlanta
In Atlanta, GA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,453 (2026 est.). At $80,377, the local median is 8.13% above the national median of $74,332.
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How Atlanta Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Atlanta median: $80,377/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlanta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $69,231 | +16.10% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +8.13% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Atlanta, GA earn a median of $80,377 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.13% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 16.10% above the Georgia state average of $69,231.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlanta has a cost of living 0.06% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlanta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 100.058 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,377 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $80,330 — a 0.06% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,610
2025 BLS Actual
$78,180
2026 Current Est.
$80,377
2019–2027 Growth
+20.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,377 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,635 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlanta metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 13.9% from $68,610 (2019) to $78,180 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,635 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,025 (20.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlanta 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) | $62,066 – $64,976 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,976 – $80,377 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,377 – $81,230 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,230 – $92,519 |
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 Atlanta
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants in Atlanta is robust, with approximately 590 professionals currently employed in the field. However, when evaluating this occupational therapy assistant pay in Atlanta, GA, it is essential to consider the cost of living, which sits slightly above the national average with a cost of living index of 100.058. This index impacts take-home purchasing power, highlighting the necessity for COTAs to maximize their earnings strategically. Generally, hospital inpatient rehabilitation roles often yield higher salaries compared to skilled nursing facilities, which have been impacted by decreasing reimbursements. Factors contributing to the wage spread include productivity expectations, the nature of seasonal contracts in educational settings versus year-round roles, as well as potential pay differentials for weekend or PRN shifts. To increase pay, occupational therapy assistants may find it advantageous to pursue positions in higher-paying institutions like hospitals and consider obtaining additional certifications or moving towards advanced roles, like the COTA-to-MOT bridge, to enhance their career trajectories in this ever-evolving market.
More salary data for Atlanta, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $78,180 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Atlanta 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, 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