Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Starkville, MS: $61,947 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Starkville, MS earns a median $61,947/year (≈ $29.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Starkville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $72,284 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for an occupational therapy assistant in Starkville, Mississippi, is approximately $61,947 annually, reflecting a significant gap compared to the national median of $74,332. Entry-level positions, represented by the P10, start around $43,352, while seasoned professionals at the P90 can earn up to $72,554. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, with adjustments made for regional cost factors. As Starkville expands its healthcare offerings, occupational therapy assistants may find opportunities to enhance their earnings, particularly by bridging to a master’s degree and transitioning from a COTA to an MOT, ultimately benefiting their long-term career prospects in a growing job market.
About the Starkville Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,352 | $20.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,463 | $26.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,947 | $29.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,954 | $31.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,554 | $34.88 |
Median Salary Position
16.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Starkville
In Starkville, MS, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,202 (2026 est.). At $61,947, the local median is 16.66% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Starkville: You'd be above the median
How Starkville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Starkville median: $61,947/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Starkville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $63,732 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -16.66% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Starkville, MS earn a median of $61,947 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.66% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.80% below the Mississippi state average of $63,732.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Starkville 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.
Starkville, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $61,947 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,284 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,262
2025 BLS Actual
$60,254
2026 Current Est.
$61,947
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Starkville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,262 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,453 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,445 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,545 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,845 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,254 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,947 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,688 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Starkville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,262 (2019) to $60,254 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,688 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,426 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Starkville 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) | $43,352 – $55,463 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,463 – $61,947 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,947 – $65,954 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,954 – $72,554 |
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 Starkville
Currently, Starkville has a modest number of occupational therapy assistants, with only five individuals employed in this field within the area. The cost of living index in Starkville stands at 85.7, which is below the national average, indicating that take-home pay may stretch further than in higher-cost locales. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics often provide competitive salaries, but factors such as productivity expectations and contract types greatly influence pay differentials. Weekend shifts or PRN roles may offer premium rates, while school district positions typically provide steadier contracts during the year. For those seeking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Starkville, strategically considering positions in hospitals or outpatient settings may present better compensation opportunities, particularly in light of reductions in Medicare reimbursements that have affected pay structures across various settings.
More salary data for Starkville, 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 $60,254 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Starkville 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 Starkville 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