Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Indianapolis, IN: $69,181 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Indianapolis, IN earns a median $69,181/year (≈ $33.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Indianapolis's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $72,292 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, an occupational therapy assistant in Indianapolis is projected to earn a median annual salary of $69,181. This figure represents a competitive offering within the broader context of the industry, particularly as it falls below the national median of $74,332. Salary distribution for this role ranges from $39,510 at the 10th percentile to a maximum of $89,815 for those at the 90th percentile, providing a diverse spectrum of earning potential. Such figures are derived from the latest available data based on 2025 BLS OEWS statistics and reveal the market dynamics shaping therapy assistant compensation in the region. Understanding how productivity expectations and visits-per-day impact this compensation will be crucial for those entering this essential healthcare field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,510 | $19.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,853 | $29.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,181 | $33.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,182 | $38.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,815 | $43.18 |
Median Salary Position
6.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Indianapolis
In Indianapolis, IN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,305 (2026 est.). At $69,181, the local median is 6.93% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Indianapolis: You'd be above the median
How Indianapolis Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Indianapolis median: $69,181/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Indianapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $69,669 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -6.93% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Indianapolis, IN earn a median of $69,181 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.93% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.70% below the Indiana state average of $69,669.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Indianapolis has a cost of living 4.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Indianapolis, IN has a cost-of-living index of 95.696 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $69,181 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,292 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,570
2025 BLS Actual
$67,290
2026 Current Est.
$69,181
2019–2027 Growth
+35.3%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Indianapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,181 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,125 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indianapolis metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 28.0% from $52,570 (2019) to $67,290 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,125 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,555 (35.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indianapolis 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) | $39,510 – $60,853 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,853 – $69,181 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,181 – $80,182 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,182 – $89,815 |
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 Indianapolis
A total of 700 occupational therapy assistants are currently employed in the Indianapolis area, contributing to a robust job market where job availability aligns with a cost of living index of 95.696, indicating that living expenses are manageable compared to national averages. Within this spectrum, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer some of the highest pay, especially in light of the pressures from recent Medicare reimbursement cuts, which have notably affected compensation structures in settings like outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities. Factors such as work setting, productivity demands, and contract differences between school year and year-round positions further influence income disparities among COTAs. Given these realities, occupational therapy assistants in Indianapolis can maximize their earning potential by considering roles in higher-paying facilities, optimizing their productivity, and seeking additional certifications or bridge pathways to advanced practice roles, such as a Master of Occupational Therapy.
More salary data for Indianapolis, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Indianapolis, IN in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Indianapolis?
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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 $67,290 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Indianapolis 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