Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in South Bend, IN: $63,434 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in South Bend, IN earns a median $63,434/year (≈ $30.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in South Bend's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $68,313 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.9% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, professionals in the field of occupational therapy assistants in South Bend, Indiana can expect a median annual salary of $63,434 according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. The salary for these roles ranges from $48,732 at the 10th percentile to $79,133 at the 90th percentile, revealing a range that reflects both the varying levels of experience and the diverse settings in which these assistants operate. Those who work in industries such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and hospitals typically encounter different compensation structures, influenced by productivity expectations tied to the number of patient visits per day. The salary overview of occupational therapy assistant pay in South Bend IN illustrates a competitive but nuanced local market that can offer considerable growth opportunities, especially as demand for rehabilitative services continues to rise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,732 | $23.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,123 | $23.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,434 | $30.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,604 | $34.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,133 | $38.05 |
Median Salary Position
14.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Bend
In South Bend, IN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,401 (2026 est.). At $63,434, the local median is 14.66% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Bend: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Bend Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
South Bend median: $63,434/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $69,631 | -8.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.66% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Bend, IN earn a median of $63,434 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.66% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 8.90% below the Indiana state average of $69,631.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Bend has a cost of living 7.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Bend, IN has a cost-of-living index of 92.858 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,434 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,313 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,492
2025 BLS Actual
$61,700
2026 Current Est.
$63,434
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,492 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,434 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,216 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Bend metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,492 (2019) to $61,700 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,216 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,724 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Bend 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) | $48,732 – $49,123 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,123 – $63,434 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,434 – $72,604 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,604 – $79,133 |
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 South Bend
While the job market for occupational therapy assistants in South Bend employs about 50 individuals, the economic dynamics are shaped by the local cost of living, which stands at an index of 92.858. This indicator suggests that the purchasing power for salaries in this vicinity could be more advantageous compared to other regions. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehab and skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest wages, yet the spread in pay can stem from various factors including weekend and PRN premium rates, contractual agreements, and the ongoing implications of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts on OTA-provided services. For those seeking to maximize their earnings within the occupational therapy assistant salary structure in South Bend, pursuing roles in high-demand settings, like outpatient clinics and early intervention programs, may be wise, particularly as professionals consider the bridge pathway to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT).
More salary data for South Bend, 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 $61,700 for occupational therapy assistantsin the South Bend 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, 6-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