Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Richmond, IN: $67,793 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Richmond, IN earns a median $67,793/year (≈ $32.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $74,253 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected occupational therapy assistant salary in Richmond, IN, is $67,793, reflecting a slight decrease of 8.80% compared to the national median of $74,332 for that year. Salaries in Richmond vary significantly, with a range from $47,309 at the 10th percentile to $79,664 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on projections derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living factors. The salary dynamics in Richmond suggest that productivity expectations heavily influence compensation, as COTAs are typically assessed on the number of therapy visits they conduct daily. With only seven occupational therapy assistants currently employed in the area, local market conditions indicate a specialized workforce where compensation is sensitive to these metrics.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,309 | $22.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,757 | $29.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,793 | $32.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,184 | $34.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,664 | $38.30 |
Median Salary Position
8.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, IN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,355 (2026 est.). At $67,793, the local median is 8.8% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be above the median
How Richmond Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Richmond median: $67,793/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $69,674 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -8.80% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Richmond, IN earn a median of $67,793 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.80% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.70% below the Indiana state average of $69,674.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond 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.
Richmond, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,793 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,253 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,099
2025 BLS Actual
$65,940
2026 Current Est.
$67,793
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,099 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,403 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,598 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,115 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,793 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,698 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $56,099 (2019) to $65,940 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,698 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,599 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $47,309 – $60,757 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,757 – $67,793 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,793 – $72,184 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,184 – $79,664 |
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 Richmond
Richmond's cost-of-living index of 91.3 suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power of occupational therapy assistant pay in Richmond IN remains relatively strong. Employers that tend to pay the highest wages include hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and outpatient clinics, given their demand for skilled therapists. Institutions like skilled nursing facilities may offer lower wages due to budget constraints, particularly following the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting OTA-provided services. The variance in salaries is often driven by factors such as pay structures, weekend and PRN premiums, and the nature of contracts, especially between school-year versus year-round positions. To maximize earnings in Richmond, occupational therapy assistants should consider opportunities in settings that offer higher salaries and explore options for additional certifications or bridge pathways from COTA to MOT, leveraging the demand for specialized care in the community.
More salary data for Richmond, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Richmond?
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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 $65,940 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Richmond 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 Richmond 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