Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Florence, KY: $65,775 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Florence, KY earns a median $65,775/year (≈ $31.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Florence's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $73,656 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Florence, KY, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $65,775, which reflects a notable difference from the national median of $74,332. The local salary range spans from $48,165 at the 10th percentile to $77,303 at the 90th percentile, indicating that pay can vary widely based on the specific work setting. With a 2.81% annual growth rate forecasted, the compensation landscape remains dynamic amid ongoing pressures in healthcare reimbursements, particularly following the Medicare cuts that took effect in 2022. In Florence, the distinct salary offerings in skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals highlight the structural divide in employment opportunities and often influence local salary expectations for OTAs.
About the Florence Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,165 | $23.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,409 | $27.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,775 | $31.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,041 | $33.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,303 | $37.17 |
Median Salary Position
11.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, KY, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,138 (2026 est.). At $65,775, the local median is 11.51% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be above the median
How Florence Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Florence median: $65,775/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $66,372 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -11.51% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Florence, KY earn a median of $65,775 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.51% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.90% below the Kentucky state average of $66,372.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence 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.
Florence, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,775 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,656 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,429
2025 BLS Actual
$63,977
2026 Current Est.
$65,775
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,429 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,695 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,624 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,854 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,296 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,402 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,977 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,775 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,623 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $54,429 (2019) to $63,977 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,623 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,194 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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) | $48,165 – $56,409 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,409 – $65,775 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,775 – $70,041 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,041 – $77,303 |
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 Florence
Currently, there are only seven occupational therapy assistants employed in Florence, pointing to a market that may not deeply saturate yet still provides solid economic opportunities, particularly when factoring in the area's cost of living index of 89.3, which is below the national average. This lower CoL suggests that the purchasing power for OTAs could be favorable relative to their pay. Typically, outpatient clinics and hospital inpatient rehab settings offer the highest salaries for OTAs as compared to skilled nursing facilities, which have faced pay compression due to the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. To maximize earnings, OTAs might consider pursuing opportunities in settings that demand productivity or offer weekend and PRN shifts, as these often come with premium pay. Moreover, exploring educational pathways to transition from COTA to MOT can open doors to increased responsibilities and higher compensation in the long run.
More salary data for Florence, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Florence, KY in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Florence?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Florence?
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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 $63,977 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Florence 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 Florence 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