Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Cartersville, GA: $65,917 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Cartersville, GA earns a median $65,917/year (≈ $31.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Cartersville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $70,802 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Cartersville, Georgia, can anticipate a median annual salary of $65,917 in 2026, which sits below the national median of $74,332. Salary ranges for this role vary significantly, from $48,886 at the 10th percentile to $74,052 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse workplace settings and levels of experience in the field. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, projecting local compensation for COTAs in a labor market that values effective service delivery and productivity. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.81%, job opportunities in Cartersville are supported by the demand for rehabilitative services in both healthcare and educational settings. This city presents a stable environment for skilled professionals, making it an appealing choice for both new graduates and experienced practitioners.
About the Cartersville Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,886 | $23.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,753 | $27.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,917 | $31.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,466 | $32.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,052 | $35.60 |
Median Salary Position
11.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cartersville
In Cartersville, GA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,166 (2026 est.). At $65,917, the local median is 11.32% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Cartersville: You'd be above the median
How Cartersville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Cartersville median: $65,917/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cartersville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $69,168 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -11.32% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cartersville, GA earn a median of $65,917 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.32% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.70% below the Georgia state average of $69,168.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cartersville has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cartersville, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,917 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,802 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,547
2025 BLS Actual
$64,115
2026 Current Est.
$65,917
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cartersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,547 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,815 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,742 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,976 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,424 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,529 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,115 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,917 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,769 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cartersville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $54,547 (2019) to $64,115 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,769 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,222 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cartersville 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) | $48,886 – $56,753 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,753 – $65,917 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,917 – $68,466 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,466 – $74,052 |
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 Cartersville
In Cartersville, the job market for occupational therapy assistants is relatively modest, with only four professionals currently employed in this capacity. The cost of living index stands at 93.1, indicating a lower-than-average cost of living that enhances the buying power of local salaries. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics tend to offer the highest pay, while school districts typically provide lower compensation levels. The disparity in pay can be attributed to several factors, including the setting where care is delivered, overall productivity expectations, and the impacts of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that was enacted in 2022. To maximize earning potential in Cartersville, COTAs should consider seeking employment in settings that provide year-round contracts or explore positions that offer weekend or PRN shifts, which frequently come with premium pay. Additionally, pursuing further education through COTA-to-MOT bridge programs could open up new job opportunities and a pathway to higher earnings within the occupational therapy profession.
More salary data for Cartersville, GA:
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 $64,115 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Cartersville 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 Cartersville 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