Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Lexington, KY: $67,042 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Lexington, KY earns a median $67,042/year (≈ $32.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $72,174 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Lexington, Kentucky, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $67,042 in 2026. This figure indicates a competitive positioning relative to national trends, where the average salary is notably higher at $74,332, marking a difference of approximately 9.81%. The salary range for this profession varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $52,269 and top earners making as much as $82,258. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and reflect the current realities in the field, including the impact of post-Medicare cuts that have altered compensation dynamics across different settings such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals. The diverse nature of job environments contributes to differences in earnings and highlights the importance of context when considering occupational therapy assistant pay in Lexington, KY.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,269 | $25.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,563 | $29.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,042 | $32.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,225 | $32.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,258 | $39.54 |
Median Salary Position
9.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, KY, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,989 (2026 est.). At $67,042, the local median is 9.81% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lexington Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Lexington median: $67,042/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $66,379 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -9.81% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lexington, KY earn a median of $67,042 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.81% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.00% above the Kentucky state average of $66,379.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 7.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, KY has a cost-of-living index of 92.889 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,042 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,174 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,140
2025 BLS Actual
$65,210
2026 Current Est.
$67,042
2019–2027 Growth
+16.5%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,042 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,926 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 10.3% from $59,140 (2019) to $65,210 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,926 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,786 (16.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $52,269 – $61,563 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,563 – $67,042 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,042 – $68,225 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,225 – $82,258 |
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 Lexington
In the local landscape, there are about 40 occupational therapy assistants employed in Lexington, providing a solid foundation for job stability in the area. The cost of living index stands at 92.889, meaning that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the affordability of living in Lexington permits a comfortable standard of living for many COTAs. Notably, employers in hospital inpatient rehab settings often offer the highest compensation, with skilled nursing facilities generally lagging behind due to the ongoing effects of the 15% Medicare cut impacting reimbursement. The disparity in pay is influenced by various factors, including productivity expectations, specific employment contracts that vary by setting, and different payment structures for school districts versus year-round positions. To maximize earning potential in Lexington, COTAs should consider seeking employment in hospital settings or negotiating for higher compensation packages that include performance bonuses or educational benefits towards bridge programs for those looking to move from COTA to MOT credentials.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $65,210 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Lexington 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