Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Mishawaka, IN: $62,620 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Mishawaka, IN earns a median $62,620/year (≈ $30.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Mishawaka's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $68,587 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.1% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Mishawaka, IN, can expect a median annual salary of $62,620 in 2026. The complete salary range for this role spans from $46,042 at the 10th percentile to $80,109 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a wide disparity influenced by experience, setting, and specific employer practices. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, along with a regional cost adjustment, reflecting the unique economic conditions of Mishawaka. Notably, salaries in Mishawaka are approximately 15.76% lower than the national median of $74,332, which may influence many COTAs to consider furthering their education to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) to bridge skill gaps and enhance lifetime earning potential.
About the Mishawaka Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,042 | $22.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,064 | $25.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,620 | $30.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,247 | $33.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,109 | $38.51 |
Median Salary Position
15.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mishawaka
In Mishawaka, IN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,067 (2026 est.). At $62,620, the local median is 15.76% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Mishawaka: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mishawaka Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Mishawaka median: $62,620/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mishawaka Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $69,655 | -10.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.76% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Mishawaka, IN earn a median of $62,620 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.76% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 10.10% below the Indiana state average of $69,655.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mishawaka has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mishawaka, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,620 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,587 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,818
2025 BLS Actual
$60,908
2026 Current Est.
$62,620
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Mishawaka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,818 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,023 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,003 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,126 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,452 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,889 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,908 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,620 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,379 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mishawaka metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,818 (2019) to $60,908 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,379 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,561 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mishawaka 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) | $46,042 – $54,064 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,064 – $62,620 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,620 – $70,247 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,247 – $80,109 |
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 Mishawaka
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Mishawaka is relatively small, with only nine professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index, which stands at a lower-than-average 91.3, means that take-home salaries may stretch further than in markets with higher living costs, though it still reflects the financial constraints of local employers. Among various service settings, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer higher compensation, but factors such as productivity expectations and state reimbursement cuts can significantly affect pay. With the recent 15% reduction in Medicare reimbursements affecting many roles, applicants should focus on securing contracts that offer competitive pay, such as those in outpatient clinics or home health agencies. For navigators in the careers of occupational therapy assistance, maximizing income can often involve pursuing additional certifications or seeking employment in settings with a more favorable pay structure.
More salary data for Mishawaka, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Mishawaka, IN in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Mishawaka?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Mishawaka?
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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 $60,908 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Mishawaka 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 Mishawaka 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