Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in West Virginia: $61,821 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across West Virginia's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $61,821/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because West Virginia sits at BEA RPP 86.5 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,469 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Martinsburg ($69,611), Wheeling ($62,670), Huntington ($60,740).
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in West Virginia are projected to earn an average median salary of $61,821, which is significantly lower than the national median of $74,332, representing a gap of 16.8%. The highest paying city is Martinsburg at $71,567, while Weirton offers the lowest salary at $59,136, highlighting a difference of $12,431. This variation in pay can be attributed to various factors, including the cost of living, demand for services, and the availability of healthcare facilities in these areas. West Virginia requires occupational therapy assistants to obtain state licensure, which involves meeting specific educational and training guidelines before entering the workforce. The scope of practice laws also dictate the responsibilities and duties that these professionals can undertake. With an annual growth rate of 2.81%, the job market is steadily expanding, driven by an aging population and an increasing emphasis on rehabilitation services. Key cities for employment in West Virginia include Martinsburg, Wheeling at $64,431, Huntington at $62,447, Parkersburg at $62,336, and South Charleston at $61,592. The projected demand in this field suggests a favorable outlook for job seekers willing to navigate the state's specific requirements and capitalize on growing opportunities in the healthcare sector.
West Virginia Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in West Virginia: $46,283 (lowest entry-level) to $81,724 (highest top earner)
West Virginia vs National Average
West Virginia occupational therapy assistants earn 16.83% less than the national median ($-12,511/year difference).
West Virginia Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in West Virginia range from $50,684 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $78,016 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,821. The West Virginia median is $12,511 below the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $29.72/hr. Approximately 226 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,540
2025 BLS Actual
$60,131
2026 Current Est.
$61,821
2019–2027 Growth
+10.5%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in West Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,433 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,824 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,956 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,934 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,131 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,821 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,558 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Virginia metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 4.5% from $57,540 (2019) to $60,131 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,558 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,018 (10.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Virginia 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in West Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in West Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Weirton | $59,136 |
| Charleston | $59,136 |
| Clarksburg | $59,635 |
| Fairmont | $59,832 |
| Beckley | $59,900 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in West Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these West Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martinsburg | $71,567 | 86.5 | $82,736 |
| Wheeling | $64,431 | 88.323 | $72,949 |
| Parkersburg | $62,336 | 86.5 | $72,065 |
| South Charleston | $61,592 | 86.5 | $71,205 |
| Morgantown | $61,557 | 86.5 | $71,164 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in West Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,684 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,821 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $78,016 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across West Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in West Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsburg | $71,567 |
| 2 | Wheeling | $64,431 |
| 3 | Huntington | $62,447 |
| 4 | Parkersburg | $62,336 |
| 5 | South Charleston | $61,592 |
| 6 | Morgantown | $61,557 |
| 7 | Beckley | $59,900 |
| 8 | Fairmont | $59,832 |
| 9 | Clarksburg | $59,635 |
| 10 | Charleston | $59,136 |
| 11 | Weirton | $59,136 |
More West Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in West Virginia cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new occupational therapy assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in West Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in West Virginia?
How does West Virginia occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in West Virginia?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in West Virginia?
Which West Virginia city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across West Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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