Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Huntington, WV: $62,447 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Huntington, WV earns a median $62,447/year (≈ $30.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Huntington's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $70,624 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For 2026, the median occupational therapy assistant salary in Huntington, WV, is projected to be $62,447, which represents a notable difference compared to the national average of $74,332. The salary range for professionals in this field spans from $50,356 at the 10th percentile to $80,521 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of experience and settings that affect earnings. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlighting the importance of understanding local market dynamics as they influence compensation. With productivity expectations often driving performance, COTAs in Huntington should recognize that the number of client visits per day can significantly impact their overall income, especially in various work environments like skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and education systems.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,356 | $24.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,142 | $27.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,447 | $30.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,715 | $33.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,521 | $38.72 |
Median Salary Position
15.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Huntington
In Huntington, WV, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,165 (2026 est.). At $62,447, the local median is 15.99% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Huntington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Huntington Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Huntington median: $62,447/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Huntington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $64,312 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.99% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Huntington, WV earn a median of $62,447 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.99% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.90% below the West Virginia state average of $64,312.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Huntington has a cost of living 11.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Huntington, WV has a cost-of-living index of 88.422 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,447 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,624 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,540
2025 BLS Actual
$60,740
2026 Current Est.
$62,447
2019–2027 Growth
+11.6%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Huntington (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 | $59,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,447 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,202 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Huntington metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 5.6% from $57,540 (2019) to $60,740 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,202 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,662 (11.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntington 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) | $50,356 – $57,142 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,142 – $62,447 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,447 – $69,715 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,715 – $80,521 |
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 Huntington
In the Huntington area, around 80 occupational therapy assistants are currently employed, contributing to a competitive local job market. Given the regional cost of living index of 88.422, which is below the national average, take-home pay may offer comparatively enhanced purchasing power for COTAs. Among the top-paying employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities typically offer higher compensation than school districts or skilled nursing facilities, though they also may have different productivity expectations and work schedules that impact overall earnings. Factors such as weekend or PRN premiums can further widen the salary gap, along with the adjustments from the 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts impacting OTA services. For COTAs aiming to maximize their pay in Huntington, seeking roles in higher-paying settings and considering year-round versus school-year contracts could be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Huntington, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Huntington?
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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 $60,740 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Huntington 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, 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