Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Weirton, WV: $59,136 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Weirton, WV earns a median $59,136/year (≈ $28.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Weirton's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $66,427 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Weirton, the projected median annual compensation for occupational therapy assistants stands at $59,136 for 2026, reflecting a notable distance from the national median of $74,332. Local salaries vary significantly, with a range that spans from $50,665 at the 10th percentile to $74,352 at the 90th percentile. These figures derive from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected forward, and illustrate the impact of recent Medicare cuts that have reshaped compensation dynamics across skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and school-based settings. The landscape for COTAs now demands strategic career planning, especially in a market where many labor under increased productivity expectations and tighter budgets.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,665 | $24.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,665 | $24.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,136 | $28.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,434 | $30.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,352 | $35.75 |
Median Salary Position
20.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Weirton
In Weirton, WV, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,687 (2026 est.). At $59,136, the local median is 20.44% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Weirton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Weirton Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Weirton median: $59,136/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Weirton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $64,279 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -20.44% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Weirton, WV earn a median of $59,136 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.44% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 8.00% below the West Virginia state average of $64,279.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Weirton has a cost of living 10.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Weirton, WV has a cost-of-living index of 89.024 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $59,136 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,427 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.33% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,936
2025 BLS Actual
$57,520
2026 Current Est.
$59,136
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Weirton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,936 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,311 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,822 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,136 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,798 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Weirton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $48,936 (2019) to $57,520 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,798 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,862 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Weirton 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) | $50,665 – $50,665 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,665 – $59,136 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,136 – $63,434 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,434 – $74,352 |
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 Weirton
Currently, Weirton employs approximately 30 occupational therapy assistants, an indicator of market stability in this field. With a cost of living index of 89.024, the purchasing power in this area allows COTAs to maintain a decent standard of living, albeit lower than the national average. Employers in skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab tend to offer higher wages compared to school districts and outpatient clinics, where budgets are more constrained post-Medicare cuts. The differential in occupational therapy assistant pay in Weirton, WV, can be attributed to various factors. Those seeking to maximize earnings should consider specialization, flexible scheduling, and pursuing opportunities in settings with greater funding potential, as well as exploring pathways for advancement, such as bridge programs to earn their MOT, ultimately improving their career trajectory in a fluctuating healthcare environment.
More salary data for Weirton, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $57,520 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Weirton 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, 5-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