Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Portage, IN: $67,290 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Portage, IN earns a median $67,290/year (≈ $32.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Portage's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $73,702 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Portage, IN, can expect a projected median annual salary of $67,290 in 2026. This figure falls approximately 9.47% below the national median of $74,332, indicating a local market that is navigating the aftermath of significant Medicare reimbursement cuts that have affected pay structures across various settings. Salaries in this region range from $49,941 at the 10th percentile to $82,080 at the 90th percentile, reflecting differences in employer types such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and outpatient clinics. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, reveal the unique economic landscape of Portage, where occupational therapy assistants play a key role in rehabilitation settings, schools, and home health programs.
About the Portage Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,941 | $24.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,201 | $27.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,290 | $32.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,684 | $35.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,080 | $39.46 |
Median Salary Position
9.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portage
In Portage, IN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,139 (2026 est.). At $67,290, the local median is 9.47% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Portage: You'd be above the median
How Portage Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Portage median: $67,290/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $69,659 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -9.47% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Portage, IN earn a median of $67,290 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.47% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.40% below the Indiana state average of $69,659.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portage 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.
Portage, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,290 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,702 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,683
2025 BLS Actual
$65,451
2026 Current Est.
$67,290
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Portage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,683 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,978 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,882 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,164 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,662 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,205 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,451 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,290 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,181 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portage metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $55,683 (2019) to $65,451 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,181 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,498 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portage 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) | $49,941 – $58,201 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,201 – $67,290 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,290 – $73,684 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,684 – $82,080 |
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 Portage
On the ground, the job market demonstrates a stable presence of 10 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Portage. Given the relatively low cost of living index at 91.3, professionals in this field may find their purchasing power enhanced compared to other regions. Salary variation is influenced primarily by the work setting, with hospital roles often offering higher pay than school positions, particularly in light of the 15% Medicare cut that has pressured earnings in skilled nursing and outpatient environments. To maximize earnings in Portage, candidates may consider diversifying their skill sets to include contract work in higher-paying sectors, pursuing additional certifications, or negotiating for PRN opportunities during peak periods. Understanding the dynamics of local employers and the impact of reimbursement changes is crucial for optimizing occupational therapy assistant pay in Portage, IN.
More salary data for Portage, IN:
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 $65,451 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Portage 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 Portage 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