Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in New Albany, IN: $67,247 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in New Albany, IN earns a median $67,247/year (≈ $32.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in New Albany's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $73,655 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in New Albany, Indiana, can expect a median annual salary of $67,247 in 2026, which shows a notable disparity when compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary range here varies significantly, with the lowest 10 percent earning about $49,554 and the upper 10 percent reaching up to $82,111. These figures reflect estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, taking into account local cost adjustments that influence the overall compensation landscape. The job market is shaped by various types of employers, each with different pay structures, highlighting the need for prospective COTAs to carefully evaluate where they might maintain or increase their earning potential.
About the New Albany Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,554 | $23.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,111 | $27.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,247 | $32.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,484 | $35.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,111 | $39.48 |
Median Salary Position
9.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Albany
In New Albany, IN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,557 (2026 est.). At $67,247, the local median is 9.53% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in New Albany: You'd be above the median
How New Albany Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
New Albany median: $67,247/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Albany Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $69,686 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -9.53% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in New Albany, IN earn a median of $67,247 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.53% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.50% below the Indiana state average of $69,686.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Albany 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.
New Albany, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,247 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,655 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,647
2025 BLS Actual
$65,409
2026 Current Est.
$67,247
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in New Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,647 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,941 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,846 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,126 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,623 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,167 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,409 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,247 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,137 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Albany metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $55,647 (2019) to $65,409 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,137 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,490 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Albany 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) | $49,554 – $58,111 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,111 – $67,247 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,247 – $73,484 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,484 – $82,111 |
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 New Albany
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants in New Albany is relatively small, with just nine professionals currently employed in the area. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 91.3, this suggests that the purchasing power for COTAs may fall below national averages. Skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics have emerged as notable employers, albeit with some of the greatest salary variations influenced by workplace setting, service expectations, and the recent cuts to Medicare reimbursements. Notably, those working in hospitals often earn more than their peers in schools or SNFs, reflecting a productivity-based pay model. For COTAs in this market, optimizing one’s pay may involve seeking opportunities within high-demand settings, such as inpatient rehabilitation or home health agencies, where reimbursement rates tend to be better, and exploring roles that benefit from year-round contracts.
More salary data for New Albany, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in New Albany, IN in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in New Albany?
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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 $65,409 for occupational therapy assistantsin the New Albany 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 New Albany 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