Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Nicholasville, KY: $65,374 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Nicholasville, KY earns a median $65,374/year (≈ $31.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Nicholasville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $73,207 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Nicholasville, KY, the expected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant in 2026 is projected to be $65,374. When considering the full salary range, these professionals can anticipate earnings between $47,130 at the 10th percentile up to $75,878 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional conditions, reflect the financial landscape specific to the local job market. For those who aspire to advance their careers, bridging from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) can significantly enhance lifetime earning potential, making the investment in education worthwhile. With a local workforce comprising six occupational therapy assistants, the demand for these roles is tied to broader healthcare trends, making the Nicholasville job market an appealing option for aspiring professionals.
About the Nicholasville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,130 | $22.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,581 | $26.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,374 | $31.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,181 | $33.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,878 | $36.48 |
Median Salary Position
12.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nicholasville
In Nicholasville, KY, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,748 (2026 est.). At $65,374, the local median is 12.05% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nicholasville: You'd be above the median
How Nicholasville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Nicholasville median: $65,374/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nicholasville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $66,369 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.05% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $65,374 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.05% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $66,369.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nicholasville 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.
Nicholasville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,374 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,207 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,097
2025 BLS Actual
$63,587
2026 Current Est.
$65,374
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,097 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,355 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,291 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,507 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,935 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,046 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,587 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,374 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,211 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nicholasville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $54,097 (2019) to $63,587 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,211 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,114 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nicholasville 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) | $47,130 – $55,581 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,581 – $65,374 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,374 – $69,181 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,181 – $75,878 |
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 Nicholasville
As for occupational therapy assistant pay in Nicholasville, the cost of living index stands at 89.3, suggesting a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average. This favorable index means that while salaries may trail slightly behind the national median of $74,332, the purchasing power remains respectable. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab centers are among the highest payers, while those working under school district contracts or in outpatient clinics may earn on the lower end of the scale. Various factors contribute to the disparities in pay, including setting variations, productivity expectations, and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on rates for OTA-provided services. To maximize earnings, occupational therapy assistants in the area can seek positions in high-demand settings, consider night and weekend shifts for premium pay, or explore opportunities for year-round contracts over the academic calendar to enhance income stability.
More salary data for Nicholasville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $63,587 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville 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