Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Canton, GA: $65,593 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Canton, GA earns a median $65,593/year (≈ $31.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Canton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $70,454 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Canton, Georgia, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $65,593 in 2026, a figure that reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data. The expected salary range for this occupation varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $48,362 and experienced professionals earning up to $80,122. This compensation structure highlights the potential for growth in this field, particularly for those pursuing advanced education pathways, such as the COTA-to-MOT bridge, which can significantly enhance lifetime earning potential. With the job market in Canton offering such a spectrum of salaries, prospective occupational therapy assistants are well positioned to find opportunities that align with their career goals.
About the Canton Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,362 | $23.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,701 | $27.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,593 | $31.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,696 | $34.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,122 | $38.52 |
Median Salary Position
11.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Canton
In Canton, GA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,760 (2026 est.). At $65,593, the local median is 11.76% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Canton: You'd be above the median
How Canton Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Canton median: $65,593/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Canton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $69,191 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -11.76% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Canton, GA earn a median of $65,593 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.76% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.20% below the Georgia state average of $69,191.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Canton has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Canton, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,593 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,454 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$54,279
2025 BLS Actual
$63,800
2026 Current Est.
$65,593
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Canton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,279 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,473 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,696 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,132 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,241 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,593 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,436 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Canton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $54,279 (2019) to $63,800 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,436 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,157 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Canton 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) | $48,362 – $56,701 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,701 – $65,593 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,593 – $71,696 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,696 – $80,122 |
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 Canton
With only four occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Canton, the local job market remains relatively specialized. The cost of living index in the area stands at 93.1, which is below the national average, implying that take-home purchasing power for residents may stretch further than in pricier regions. In terms of compensation, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation tend to offer the highest pay for occupational therapy assistants, compared to school districts and outpatient clinics. Variability in earnings can arise from several factors, including the differences in work settings, expectations for productivity, and contractual arrangements. To maximize pay in the Canton GA market, professionals should consider opportunities that involve flexible schedules, such as PRN positions, and seek to expand their skills through continuing education and certifications that may mitigate the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on their services.
More salary data for Canton, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Canton, GA in 2026?
Is Canton, GA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Canton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Canton?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Canton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Georgia
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 $63,800 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Canton 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 Canton 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