Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Evansville, IN: $68,060 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Evansville, IN earns a median $68,060/year (≈ $32.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Evansville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $74,360 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, an occupational therapy assistant salary in Evansville, Indiana, is projected to reach a median of $68,060. This figure reflects a promising career path, especially for COTAs eyeing further qualifications like the MOT, which can notably enhance lifetime earnings potential. With salaries ranging from $53,821 at the 10th percentile to $79,760 at the 90th percentile, the local market provides opportunities for both entry-level and experienced professionals. Data from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys indicates that these figures slot into a competitive salary framework, despite being approximately 8.44% lower than the national median of $74,332 for the same year. This trend showcases the distinct salary dynamics at play in Evansville’s healthcare sector, informing both current and aspiring occupational therapy assistants about the financial landscape they may encounter.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,821 | $25.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,961 | $30.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,060 | $32.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,010 | $36.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,760 | $38.35 |
Median Salary Position
8.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Evansville
In Evansville, IN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,939 (2026 est.). At $68,060, the local median is 8.44% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Evansville: You'd be above the median
How Evansville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Evansville median: $68,060/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Evansville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $69,662 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -8.44% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Evansville, IN earn a median of $68,060 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.44% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.30% below the Indiana state average of $69,662.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Evansville has a cost of living 8.47% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Evansville, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.528 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $68,060 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,360 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.26% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,540
2025 BLS Actual
$66,200
2026 Current Est.
$68,060
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Evansville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,060 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,973 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Evansville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 11.2% from $59,540 (2019) to $66,200 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,973 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,433 (17.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evansville 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) | $53,821 – $62,961 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,961 – $68,060 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,060 – $75,010 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,010 – $79,760 |
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 Evansville
With approximately 120 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Evansville, the local job market appears stable and steadily growing at an annual rate of 2.81%. Moreover, a cost of living index of 91.528 suggests a lower living expense compared to the national average, allowing for potentially greater purchasing power with this compensation. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest pay, particularly when factoring in productivity expectations and reimbursement policies that are influenced by the recent 15% cut in Medicare rates for OTA-provided services. This discrepancy in pay can also arise from variations between practice settings, such as home health agencies and school districts, which typically have differing contract lengths and pay structures. To maximize potential earnings, occupational therapy assistants in Evansville should consider targeting higher-paying settings and seeking additional certifications or training that align with the employment needs in the region.
More salary data for Evansville, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Evansville?
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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 $66,200 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Evansville 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, 7-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