Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Louisville, KY: $72,368 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Louisville, KY earns a median $72,368/year (≈ $34.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Louisville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $81,039 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% above the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Louisville, Kentucky, can expect a median annual salary of $72,368, which is slightly below the national median of $74,332. Local salaries range from $47,554 at the 10th percentile to $92,808 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of roles and workplace settings available in the area. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, indicate that both experience and employers play significant roles in determining compensation. With productivity expectations often tied to visits-per-day metrics, occupational therapy assistants must navigate the demands of their roles while maintaining efficiency to secure competitive pay within the market.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,554 | $22.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,628 | $28.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,368 | $34.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,782 | $38.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,808 | $44.62 |
Median Salary Position
2.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville
In Louisville, KY, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,254 (2026 est.). At $72,368, the local median is 2.64% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Louisville: You'd be above the median
How Louisville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Louisville median: $72,368/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Louisville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $66,393 | +9.00% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -2.64% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Louisville, KY earn a median of $72,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.64% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $66,393.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Louisville 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.
Louisville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $72,368 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,039 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,885
2025 BLS Actual
$70,390
2026 Current Est.
$72,368
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,885 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,277 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,099 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,553 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,256 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,368 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,401 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $59,885 (2019) to $70,390 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,401 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,516 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisville 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) | $47,554 – $58,628 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,628 – $72,368 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,368 – $80,782 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,782 – $92,808 |
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 Louisville
The job market in Louisville shows an active demand for occupational therapy assistants, with approximately 132 professionals currently employed in this field. Notably, the cost-of-living index in Louisville is lower at 89.3, which may positively influence the purchasing power for residents, making the earnings more significant in a local context. Among various settings, hospitals and specialized rehabilitation facilities typically offer the highest salaries compared to schools or skilled nursing facilities, especially since the latter have been pressured by the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut initiated in 2022. This reduced reimbursement has affected pay levels, making effective strategies essential for maximizing income. To enhance earnings, COTAs may consider seeking positions in higher-paying environments, exploring weekend or PRN opportunities, or pursuing further certifications that may bridge them to more advanced roles as they transition to MOT pathways.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Louisville?
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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 $70,390 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Louisville 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 Louisville 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