Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Gulfport, MS: $62,837 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Gulfport, MS earns a median $62,837/year (≈ $30.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Gulfport's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.0), that paycheck buys what $69,814 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Gulfport, Mississippi, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $62,837 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $74,332, reflecting a disparity of 15.46%. With a salary range spanning from $48,352 at the lower 10th percentile to $85,538 at the upper 90th percentile, this data highlights the variable compensation related to the different work environments. Understanding this division is crucial, particularly as occupational therapy assistants often find employment in settings like skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals, each with their own financial constraints shaped by the recent Medicare cuts. The competitive nature of Gulfport's job market for occupational therapy assistants, alongside these structural challenges, paints a complex picture for prospective COTAs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,352 | $23.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,681 | $28.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,837 | $30.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,673 | $37.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,538 | $41.12 |
Median Salary Position
15.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gulfport
In Gulfport, MS, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,186 (2026 est.). At $62,837, the local median is 15.46% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gulfport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gulfport Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Gulfport median: $62,837/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gulfport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $63,730 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.46% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Gulfport, MS earn a median of $62,837 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.46% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.40% below the Mississippi state average of $63,730.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gulfport has a cost of living 9.99% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gulfport, MS has a cost-of-living index of 90.006 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,837 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,814 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,998
2025 BLS Actual
$61,120
2026 Current Est.
$62,837
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Gulfport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,998 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,207 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,837 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,603 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gulfport metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,998 (2019) to $61,120 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,603 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,605 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gulfport 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) | $48,352 – $59,681 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,681 – $62,837 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,837 – $77,673 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,673 – $85,538 |
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 Gulfport
Amid a workforce of 60 occupational therapy assistants in Gulfport, the cost of living, with an index of 90.006, remains significantly below the national average, which may help improve the purchasing power for local salaries. Among the various employers, hospitals tend to offer the most competitive pay, followed by outpatient clinics and early intervention programs. The salary variations reflect the impact of productivity expectations, contract types, and the ongoing ramifications of the 15% Medicare reduction, particularly in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings. Occupational therapy assistants looking to maximize their earnings might benefit from exploring opportunities in hospital inpatient rehab, where compensation is generally more favorable, alongside considering year-round contracts for steady income growth. Career advancement through COTA-to-MOT bridge programs can also enhance earning potential in the long run.
More salary data for Gulfport, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Gulfport, MS in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Gulfport?
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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 $61,120 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Gulfport 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, 5-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