Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Parkersburg, WV: $62,336 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Parkersburg, WV earns a median $62,336/year (≈ $29.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Parkersburg's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $72,065 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the West Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Parkersburg, West Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $62,336 in 2026. The salary range for this role spans from $48,255 for entry-level positions to $76,638 at the higher end of the spectrum. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost realities, illustrate the financial landscape OTAs navigate. Given the structural divide between settings, such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), inpatient rehab at hospitals, and local school districts, the earning potential varies. The recent realities following the 15% Medicare Part B cut have particularly impacted pay scales in certain environments like SNFs, which traditionally offer lower compensation compared to hospital settings where OTAs can find more lucrative opportunities.
About the Parkersburg Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,255 | $23.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,580 | $26.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,336 | $29.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,435 | $32.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,638 | $36.85 |
Median Salary Position
16.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Parkersburg
In Parkersburg, WV, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,383 (2026 est.). At $62,336, the local median is 16.14% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Parkersburg: You'd be above the median
How Parkersburg Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Parkersburg median: $62,336/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Parkersburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $64,330 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -16.14% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Parkersburg, WV earn a median of $62,336 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.14% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.10% below the West Virginia state average of $64,330.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Parkersburg has a cost of living 13.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Parkersburg, WV has a cost-of-living index of 86.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,336 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,065 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,583
2025 BLS Actual
$60,632
2026 Current Est.
$62,336
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Parkersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,583 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,783 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,768 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,881 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,196 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,994 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,632 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,336 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,087 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Parkersburg metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,583 (2019) to $60,632 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,087 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,504 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Parkersburg 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) | $48,255 – $55,580 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,580 – $62,336 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,336 – $68,435 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,435 – $76,638 |
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 Parkersburg
When considering occupational therapy assistant pay in Parkersburg, it is essential to account for the local job market, which currently has five employed OTAs. The cost of living in the area, with an index of 86.5, suggests that the purchasing power of salaries is enhanced relative to national averages. Amongst the various employers in Parkersburg, hospital settings are likely to offer the highest pay, especially given the increased productivity demands and reimbursement expectations compared to SNF and outpatient roles post-Medicare cuts. Other variations in salary are influenced by the differences between school-year and year-round contracts, plus weekend and PRN opportunities. For OTAs in Parkersburg looking to increase their income, seeking roles in hospitals, advocating for advantageous contracts, and maintaining readiness to work off-hours can be effective strategies in this evolving market.
More salary data for Parkersburg, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Parkersburg, WV in 2026?
Is Parkersburg, WV a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Parkersburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Parkersburg?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Parkersburg?
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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 $60,632 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Parkersburg 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 Parkersburg 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