Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Bowling Green, KY: $63,423 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Bowling Green, KY earns a median $63,423/year (≈ $30.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Bowling Green's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $70,330 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
At $63,423, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Bowling Green, KY presents a stark contrast to the national median of $74,332. The salary range in this area stretches from $59,301 at the lowest 10th percentile to $78,084 at the upper 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential within the profession. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflect the impact of recent changes in reimbursement rates, particularly following the 15% Medicare Part B cut that began in 2022. Occupational therapy assistants in this city must navigate the varying pay structures among different employers, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital settings, and school districts, as each setting contends with post-cut economic realities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,301 | $28.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,423 | $30.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,423 | $30.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,678 | $31.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,084 | $37.54 |
Median Salary Position
14.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bowling Green
In Bowling Green, KY, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,783 (2026 est.). At $63,423, the local median is 14.68% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Bowling Green: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Bowling Green Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Bowling Green median: $63,423/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bowling Green Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $66,412 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.68% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bowling Green, KY earn a median of $63,423 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.68% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.50% below the Kentucky state average of $66,412.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bowling Green has a cost of living 9.82% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bowling Green, KY has a cost-of-living index of 90.179 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,423 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,330 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,780
2025 BLS Actual
$61,690
2026 Current Est.
$63,423
2019–2027 Growth
+12.9%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bowling Green (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,704 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,821 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,176 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,416 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,423 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,206 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bowling Green metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 6.8% from $57,780 (2019) to $61,690 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,206 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,426 (12.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bowling Green 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) | $59,301 – $63,423 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,423 – $63,423 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,423 – $64,678 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,678 – $78,084 |
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 Bowling Green
Looking at the local job market, there are currently 40 occupational therapy assistants employed in Bowling Green, indicating a competitive yet stable environment. The cost-of-living index for the area stands at 90.179, meaning that while salaries are below the national median, the purchasing power remains relatively favorable for residents. Employers that typically offer higher compensation include hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities, due to their demanding productivity expectations, as opposed to schools or skilled nursing facilities, where pay may lag behind. Variations in compensation reflect factors such as weekend shifts' premiums and the differing contract structures for school year versus year-round work. To maximize pay in this market, occupational therapy assistants could benefit from pursuing roles in settings that prioritize higher reimbursement rates, seeking pathways to further credentialing through programs like the COTA-to-MOT bridge, and remaining adaptable in the current fluctuating landscape.
More salary data for Bowling Green, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Bowling Green, KY in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Bowling Green?
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Career Resources
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 $61,690 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Bowling Green 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, 4-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