Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Kentucky: $68,978 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $68,978/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $77,243 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Owensboro ($70,840), Louisville ($70,390), Louisville/Jefferson County ($67,840).
In Kentucky, the projected average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 is $68,978, reflecting a 7.2% decrease compared to the national median of $74,332. Within the state, earnings can vary significantly; for instance, Owensboro is the highest-paying city, with an average salary of $72,831, while Murray ranks lowest at $62,084, showcasing a salary gap of $10,747. This disparity is often driven by factors such as local demand for services, cost of living, and available healthcare facilities. Kentucky's licensure requirements for occupational therapy assistants emphasize the necessity of an accredited program and passing the national certification exam. Scope of practice laws in the state dictate the tasks assistants can perform, which may influence job availability and salary levels. Demand for occupational therapy services is on the rise, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 2.81%, highlighting a stable job market outlook for this profession. Top cities for employment include Owensboro ($72,831), Louisville ($72,368), Louisville/Jefferson County ($69,746), Lexington ($67,042), and Independence ($65,852). With nearly 499 individuals employed statewide in this role, Kentucky presents a steady opportunity for those entering the field of occupational therapy assistance.
Kentucky Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $40,240 (lowest entry-level) to $92,808 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky occupational therapy assistants earn 7.2% less than the national median ($-5,354/year difference).
Kentucky Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Kentucky range from $49,127 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,835 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $68,978. The Kentucky median is $5,354 below the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $33.16/hr. Approximately 499 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,363
2025 BLS Actual
$67,093
2026 Current Est.
$68,978
2019–2027 Growth
+21.5%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kentucky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,363 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,531 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,546 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,761 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,614 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,093 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,978 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,916 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 15.0% from $58,363 (2019) to $67,093 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,916 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,553 (21.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentucky 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 Kentucky
Lowest Paying Cities in Kentucky
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Murray | $62,084 |
| Jeffersontown | $63,014 |
| Paducah | $63,091 |
| Ashland | $63,198 |
| Madisonville | $63,236 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owensboro | $72,831 | 88.61 | $82,193 |
| Louisville | $72,368 | 89.3 | $81,039 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $69,746 | 93.074 | $74,936 |
| Independence | $65,852 | 89.3 | $73,742 |
| Florence | $65,775 | 89.3 | $73,656 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,127 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $68,978 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,835 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kentucky metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Owensboro | $72,831 |
| 2 | Louisville | $72,368 |
| 3 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $69,746 |
| 4 | Lexington | $67,042 |
| 5 | Independence | $65,852 |
| 6 | Florence | $65,775 |
| 7 | Covington | $65,497 |
| 8 | Nicholasville | $65,374 |
| 9 | Richmond | $65,357 |
| 10 | Frankfort | $65,023 |
| 11 | Henderson | $64,915 |
| 12 | Elizabethtown | $64,869 |
| 13 | Hopkinsville | $64,683 |
| 14 | Radcliff | $63,696 |
| 15 | Georgetown | $63,473 |
| 16 | Bowling Green | $63,423 |
| 17 | Madisonville | $63,236 |
| 18 | Ashland | $63,198 |
| 19 | Paducah | $63,091 |
| 20 | Jeffersontown | $63,014 |
| 21 | Murray | $62,084 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Kentucky cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new occupational therapy assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Kentucky?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky 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 Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 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