Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in South Charleston, WV: $61,592 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in South Charleston, WV earns a median $61,592/year (≈ $29.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in South Charleston's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $71,205 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the West Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Charleston, West Virginia, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 is set at $61,592, which reflects a divergence from the national median of $74,332. The local salary range stretches from $46,283 at the 10th percentile to $69,861 at the 90th percentile, offering a glimpse into the varied compensation within the field. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost factors, signal the impact of the structural differences in employment settings. The landscape for occupational therapy assistants has shifted dramatically post-Medicare cuts, with variations in pay across skilled nursing facilities, educational institutions, and hospital settings all shaping the earning potential in South Charleston.
About the South Charleston Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,283 | $22.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,469 | $25.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,592 | $29.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,388 | $30.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,861 | $33.59 |
Median Salary Position
17.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Charleston
In South Charleston, WV, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,578 (2026 est.). At $61,592, the local median is 17.14% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Charleston: You'd be above the median
How South Charleston Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
South Charleston median: $61,592/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $64,293 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -17.14% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Charleston, WV earn a median of $61,592 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.14% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.20% below the West Virginia state average of $64,293.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Charleston 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.
South Charleston, WV has a cost-of-living index of 86.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $61,592 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,205 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,968
2025 BLS Actual
$59,909
2026 Current Est.
$61,592
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,968 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,153 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,151 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,239 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,526 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,374 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,909 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,592 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,323 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Charleston metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $50,968 (2019) to $59,909 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,323 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,355 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Charleston 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) | $46,283 – $53,469 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,469 – $61,592 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,592 – $64,388 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,388 – $69,861 |
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 South Charleston
Analyzing the job market in South Charleston reveals that only five occupational therapy assistants are currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 86.5, suggesting that residents enjoy a slightly lower cost of living compared to the national average, which helps in preserving purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest pay, although the compensation landscape is influenced by the facility's setting, service demands, and the ongoing effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. Factors such as productivity expectations, work with school district contracts, and demand for weekend or PRN shifts can also drive pay disparity. For those seeking to maximize their earning potential in South Charleston, pursuing opportunities in higher-paying settings and considering diverse contract options can be effective strategies in an evolving market.
More salary data for South Charleston, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in South Charleston, WV in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in South Charleston?
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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 $59,909 for occupational therapy assistantsin the South Charleston 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 South Charleston 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