Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Elizabethtown, KY: $64,869 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Elizabethtown, KY earns a median $64,869/year (≈ $31.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Elizabethtown's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $72,642 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, earn a median annual salary of $64,869 in 2026, with a salary range from $45,927 at the 10th percentile to $80,597 at the 90th percentile. This compensation reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, taking into account the regional cost of living, which is notably below the national average. With the current restructuring of the healthcare system, particularly in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient settings after the Medicare cut, pay scales have become more variable. Elizabethtown's job market is shaped by these shifts and highlights the ongoing need for skilled occupational therapy assistants across various settings, influencing local salaries.
About the Elizabethtown Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,927 | $22.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,519 | $26.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,869 | $31.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,046 | $32.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,597 | $38.75 |
Median Salary Position
12.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabethtown
In Elizabethtown, KY, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,670 (2026 est.). At $64,869, the local median is 12.73% below the national median of $74,332.
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How Elizabethtown Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Elizabethtown median: $64,869/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elizabethtown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $66,396 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.73% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Elizabethtown, KY earn a median of $64,869 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.73% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.30% below the Kentucky state average of $66,396.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elizabethtown has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elizabethtown, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,869 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,642 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,680
2025 BLS Actual
$63,096
2026 Current Est.
$64,869
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Elizabethtown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,928 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,872 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,071 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,479 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,597 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,096 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,869 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,692 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabethtown metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,680 (2019) to $63,096 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,692 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,012 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabethtown 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) | $45,927 – $54,519 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,519 – $64,869 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,869 – $68,046 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,046 – $80,597 |
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 Elizabethtown
The job market for occupational therapy assistants is relatively small in Elizabethtown, with only five professionals currently employed in the sector. However, this limited supply can bolster competition among employers, particularly in outpatient clinics and inpatient rehabilitation facilities where pay tends to be more favorable. Given that the area has a lower cost-of-living index of 89.3, the salary for occupational therapy assistants can stretch further in terms of purchasing power compared to national standards. Productivity expectations and the effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut significantly influence salary ranges, with outpatient and hospital settings typically offering higher compensation compared to schools and SNFs. To maximize earning potential, it is advisable for occupational therapy assistants in Elizabethtown to seek roles that offer flexible contracts, such as those in outpatient clinics, or to explore per diem positions that might provide premium pay for weekend shifts.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Elizabethtown, KY in 2026?
Is Elizabethtown, KY a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Elizabethtown?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Elizabethtown?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Elizabethtown?
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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 $63,096 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown 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