Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Dothan, AL: $63,972 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Dothan, AL earns a median $63,972/year (≈ $30.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Dothan's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $72,778 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dothan, Alabama, the projected median occupational therapy assistant salary in 2026 is $63,972, reflecting a significant investment in healthcare support roles even as national trends showcase averages around $74,332. Salary ranges for these professionals vary widely from approximately $45,293 at the lower end to $79,577 at the high end. These estimates are shaped by regional cost adjustments and local economic conditions, highlighting Dothan's competitive job market for occupational therapy assistants, where productivity expectations hinge on daily visit quotas and the effectiveness of outpatient therapy sessions.
About the Dothan Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,293 | $21.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,973 | $25.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,972 | $30.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,555 | $33.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,577 | $38.26 |
Median Salary Position
13.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dothan
In Dothan, AL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,284 (2026 est.). At $63,972, the local median is 13.94% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dothan: You'd be above the median
How Dothan Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Dothan median: $63,972/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dothan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $65,345 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -13.94% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Dothan, AL earn a median of $63,972 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.94% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.10% below the Alabama state average of $65,345.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dothan has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dothan, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,972 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,778 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$52,938
2025 BLS Actual
$62,224
2026 Current Est.
$63,972
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Dothan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,938 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,168 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,127 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,296 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,671 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,917 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,224 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,972 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,770 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dothan metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,938 (2019) to $62,224 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,770 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,832 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dothan 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) | $45,293 – $53,973 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,973 – $63,972 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,972 – $70,555 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,555 – $79,577 |
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 Dothan
Currently, Dothan employs 18 occupational therapy assistants, contributing to a supportive community for both job seekers and employers. The area's cost of living index stands at 87.9, suggesting that the value of a local occupational therapy assistant pay in Dothan AL stretches further than in cities with higher living costs. Among the job settings, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabs generally offer the highest compensation, influenced by the demands placed on COTAs to meet productivity metrics. Conversely, school district contracts may yield lower returns, especially given the year-round versus school-year work arrangements and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on some therapy services. To maximize earnings, prospective COTAs should consider seeking positions in high-demand areas, leveraging the opportunities provided by AOTA and NBCOT, and exploring the COTA-to-MOT bridge paths that enhance career dynamics.
More salary data for Dothan, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Dothan, AL in 2026?
Is Dothan, AL a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Dothan?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Dothan?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Dothan?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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 $62,224 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Dothan 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 Dothan 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