Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Fayetteville, AR: $83,184 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Fayetteville, AR earns a median $83,184/year (≈ $39.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.4), that paycheck buys what $91,058 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 28.8% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, AR, the compensation for occupational therapy assistants reflects a robust local job market with a 2026 median salary projected at $83,184, surpassing the national median by a notable 11.91%. The salary range varies significantly, from $57,779 at the 10th percentile to $114,499 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse set of opportunities influenced by factors such as experience, employer type, and job setting. Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, these figures suggest that those entering the occupational therapy assistant field in Fayetteville can expect competitive earnings, making it an appealing career choice for individuals seeking stability and growth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,779 | $27.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,103 | $36.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,184 | $39.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,777 | $47.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,499 | $55.04 |
Median Salary Position
11.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, AR, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,720 (2026 est.). At $83,184, the local median is 11.91% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fayetteville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $83,184/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $64,584 | +28.80% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +11.91% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $83,184 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.91% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 28.80% above the Arkansas state average of $64,584.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 91.353 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $83,184 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,058 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,835
2025 BLS Actual
$80,910
2026 Current Est.
$83,184
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,835 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,184 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,521 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $68,835 (2019) to $80,910 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,521 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,686 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $57,779 – $75,103 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,103 – $83,184 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,184 – $99,777 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,777 – $114,499 |
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 Fayetteville
With approximately 100 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Fayetteville, the local job market is relatively stable. The cost of living index of 91.353 indicates that residents experience a lower-than-average cost of living, which enhances the purchasing power of salaries in this region. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings tend to offer the highest pay packages. The disparity in earnings can often be attributed to varying productivity expectations, contract types—like school-year versus year-round roles—and the economic impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting OTA services. For those looking to maximize occupational therapy assistant pay in Fayetteville AR, focusing on high-demand settings and considering additional certifications or roles can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Fayetteville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Fayetteville, AR in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Fayetteville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Fayetteville?
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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 $80,910 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Fayetteville 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, 6-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