Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Danville, VA: $77,159 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Danville, VA earns a median $77,159/year (≈ $37.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Danville's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $74,766 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, an occupational therapy assistant salary in Danville is projected to reach a median of $77,159, which represents a 3.8% increase compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this position varies significantly, with earnings spanning from $54,771 at the 10th percentile up to $91,185 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, reflect the distinct productivity expectations of the role, as the workload for COTAs often dictates compensation. Given the limited employment pool of just seven occupational therapy assistants in the area, the job market is relatively tight, which may contribute to the competitive salaries within Danville.
About the Danville Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,771 | $26.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,894 | $31.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,159 | $37.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,703 | $39.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,185 | $43.84 |
Median Salary Position
3.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Danville
In Danville, VA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,414 (2026 est.). At $77,159, the local median is 3.8% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Danville: You'd be above the median
How Danville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Danville median: $77,159/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Danville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $78,895 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +3.80% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Danville, VA earn a median of $77,159 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.80% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.20% below the Virginia state average of $78,895.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Danville has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Danville, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,159 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,766 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,850
2025 BLS Actual
$75,050
2026 Current Est.
$77,159
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Danville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,334 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,078 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,694 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,559 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,613 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,159 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,327 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Danville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $63,850 (2019) to $75,050 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,327 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,477 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Danville 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) | $54,771 – $64,894 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,894 – $77,159 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,159 – $82,703 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,703 – $91,185 |
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 Danville
Examining the local job market further reveals that factors such as cost of living and employer type greatly influence occupational therapy assistant pay in Danville, VA. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, assistants must consider how their salaries translate into purchasing power. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings tend to offer the highest compensation, while school districts usually pay less. The disparity in earnings can largely be attributed to productivity expectations, particularly in environments with weekend or PRN shifts that offer premium rates. Additionally, the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA-provided services has compressed pay rates, especially in outpatient and skilled nursing settings. For those aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing roles in higher-paying facilities, obtaining advanced credentials through COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways, and understanding the intricacies of local market dynamics are effective strategies for success.
More salary data for Danville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Danville, VA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Danville?
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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 $75,050 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Danville 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 Danville 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