Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Hopkinsville, KY: $64,683 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Hopkinsville, KY earns a median $64,683/year (≈ $31.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Hopkinsville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $72,433 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the projected occupational therapy assistant salary in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, is estimated at $64,683 per year. This figure represents a significant opportunity for those considering a career in the field, especially given the full salary range from $45,557 to $80,005. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjustments for regional price parity suggest that while this salary is competitive, it falls about 12.98% below the national median of $74,332. For those looking to enhance their earning potential, pursuing the transition from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) can provide a substantial boost to lifetime earnings and career prospects in Hopkinsville's healthcare job market.
About the Hopkinsville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,557 | $21.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,136 | $26.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,683 | $31.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,074 | $33.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,005 | $38.46 |
Median Salary Position
12.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hopkinsville
In Hopkinsville, KY, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,448 (2026 est.). At $64,683, the local median is 12.98% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hopkinsville: You'd be above the median
How Hopkinsville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Hopkinsville median: $64,683/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hopkinsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $66,410 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.98% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hopkinsville, KY earn a median of $64,683 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.98% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.60% below the Kentucky state average of $66,410.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hopkinsville has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hopkinsville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,683 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,433 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$53,526
2025 BLS Actual
$62,915
2026 Current Est.
$64,683
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hopkinsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,526 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,717 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,312 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,433 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,915 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,683 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,501 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hopkinsville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,526 (2019) to $62,915 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,501 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,975 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hopkinsville 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) | $45,557 – $54,136 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,136 – $64,683 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,683 – $69,074 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,074 – $80,005 |
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 Hopkinsville
In Hopkinsville, the employment landscape for occupational therapy assistants remains relatively small, with just six individuals filling these roles, reflecting a niche job market. The area’s cost-of-living index sits at 89.3, which is below the national average, implying that while salaries are slightly lower, purchasing power could be more manageable. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers tend to offer the highest pay for occupational therapy assistants. Factors driving the variance in compensation include the setting, productivity requirements, weekend or PRN pay differentials, and the implications of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that took effect in 2022. To maximize pay in Hopkinsville, aspiring occupational therapy assistants should consider positions in higher-paying settings, seek advanced certifications, or explore additional roles during the school year to navigate the local salary trends effectively.
More salary data for Hopkinsville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Hopkinsville, KY in 2026?
Is Hopkinsville, KY a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Hopkinsville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Hopkinsville?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Hopkinsville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $62,915 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Hopkinsville 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 Hopkinsville 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