Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Southaven, MS: $62,664 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Southaven, MS earns a median $62,664/year (≈ $30.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Southaven's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $73,120 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Southaven, Mississippi, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $62,664, presenting a significant opportunity for career advancement. The full salary range for this profession spans from $46,725 at the 10th percentile to $74,711 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. When considering the potential for increasing lifetime earnings through further education, such as the transition from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), the outlook for financial growth becomes even more compelling. The Southaven job market, although modest, still illustrates a stable demand for skilled professionals in this field.
About the Southaven Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,725 | $22.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,589 | $26.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,664 | $30.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,024 | $32.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,711 | $35.92 |
Median Salary Position
15.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Southaven
In Southaven, MS, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,986 (2026 est.). At $62,664, the local median is 15.7% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Southaven: You'd be above the median
How Southaven Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Southaven median: $62,664/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Southaven Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $63,683 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.70% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Southaven, MS earn a median of $62,664 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.70% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.60% below the Mississippi state average of $63,683.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Southaven has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Southaven, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,664 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,120 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,855
2025 BLS Actual
$60,951
2026 Current Est.
$62,664
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Southaven (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,855 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,165 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,491 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,268 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,951 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,664 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,425 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Southaven metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,855 (2019) to $60,951 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,425 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,570 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Southaven 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) | $46,725 – $54,589 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,589 – $62,664 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,664 – $67,024 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,024 – $74,711 |
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 Southaven
The local job market comprises approximately 14 occupational therapy assistants in Southaven, providing a sense of niche community while reflecting a manageable competitive landscape. With a cost-of-living index of 85.7, those working as occupational therapy assistants can enjoy a more favorable purchasing power compared to national averages. Employers that typically offer higher salaries include skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings, which often have more robust budgets compared to outpatient clinics or school district contracts. The variance in pay can be attributed to factors such as the setting, the nature of responsibilities, and productivity expectations. For instance, weekend or PRN shifts may attract a premium, while the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursement for OTA-provided services has tightened budgets for many providers. Thus, for occupational therapy assistants in Southaven, pursuing work in higher-paying environments and expanding educational qualifications can significantly enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Southaven, MS:
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 $60,951 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Southaven 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 Southaven 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