Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Macon, GA: $68,247 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Macon, GA earns a median $68,247/year (≈ $32.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Macon's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $73,305 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Macon, Georgia, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $68,247 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $74,332, reflecting a competitive but restrained job market in the area. The salaries for occupational therapy assistants in Macon fall within a range, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $47,775 and the top 10% making up to $85,023. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and take into account local cost adjustments for the region. Understanding the dynamics of visits-per-day and productivity expectations is crucial for those considering a position in this field, as they directly influence compensation levels in various work environments throughout Macon.
About the Macon Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,775 | $22.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,473 | $27.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,247 | $32.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,927 | $36.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,023 | $40.88 |
Median Salary Position
8.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Macon
In Macon, GA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,248 (2026 est.). At $68,247, the local median is 8.19% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Macon: You'd be above the median
How Macon Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Macon median: $68,247/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Macon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $69,216 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -8.19% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Macon, GA earn a median of $68,247 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.19% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.40% below the Georgia state average of $69,216.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Macon 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.
Macon, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $68,247 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,305 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,680
2025 BLS Actual
$66,382
2026 Current Est.
$68,247
2019–2027 Growth
+17.6%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Macon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,677 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,525 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,382 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,247 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,165 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Macon metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 11.2% from $59,680 (2019) to $66,382 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,165 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,485 (17.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Macon 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) | $47,775 – $57,473 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,473 – $68,247 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,247 – $74,927 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,927 – $85,023 |
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 Macon
Currently, Macon houses 30 occupational therapy assistants, reflecting a localized job market with unique challenges. The cost-of-living index stands at 93.1, suggesting that take-home pay goes further in this region compared to the national average. In terms of employers, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics generally offer the highest wages, but variations in pay can be attributed to settings, productivity expectations, and the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut impacting OTA services. Specifically, pay gaps exist between those working in schools and those in higher-paced environments, like hospitals, that are often driven by weekend or PRN premiums. For maximum earning potential, occupational therapy assistants in Macon may benefit from seeking positions in outpatient rehab or considering contracts that align with year-round employment to mitigate seasonal pay fluctuations that affect school-based roles.
More salary data for Macon, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Macon, GA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Macon?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Macon?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Macon?
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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 $66,382 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Macon 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 Macon 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