Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Laurel, MS: $58,914 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Laurel, MS earns a median $58,914/year (≈ $28.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $68,744 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Laurel, Mississippi, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $58,914 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median of $74,332. The salary range in this area spans from $45,755 at the 10th percentile to $68,321 at the 90th percentile, suggesting notable variation in pay depending on factors such as experience and setting. These figures are drawn from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost assessments. Bridging from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) not only expands professional opportunities but can also significantly enhance lifetime earnings, particularly in a market like Laurel that is currently growing at an annual rate of 2.81%.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,755 | $22.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,223 | $25.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,914 | $28.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,689 | $30.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,321 | $32.85 |
Median Salary Position
20.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MS, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,566 (2026 est.). At $58,914, the local median is 20.74% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be above the median
How Laurel Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Laurel median: $58,914/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $63,691 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -20.74% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Laurel, MS earn a median of $58,914 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.74% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.50% below the Mississippi state average of $63,691.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laurel, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $58,914 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,744 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,752
2025 BLS Actual
$57,304
2026 Current Est.
$58,914
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,752 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,885 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,926 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,924 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,111 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,141 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,304 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,914 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,570 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $48,752 (2019) to $57,304 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,570 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,818 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $45,755 – $52,223 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,223 – $58,914 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,914 – $62,689 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,689 – $68,321 |
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 Laurel
In Laurel, the job market for occupational therapy assistants is modest, with only six individuals currently employed in this role. The cost of living is relatively low, with an index of 85.7, which impacts the purchasing power of wages in the area. Among local employers, facilities such as outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities generally provide the highest pay, although compensation can vary based on the type of services offered and the setting. Factors driving this pay disparity include expected productivity levels, different job contract structures (such as school-year versus year-round roles), and the recent 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements for OTA-provided services. To maximize pay in Laurel, aspiring occupational therapy assistants should consider seeking positions in hospitals or outpatient rehabilitation, where compensation and job security might be greater, as these settings typically have higher reimbursement rates and demand for services.
More salary data for Laurel, MS:
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 $57,304 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Laurel 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 Laurel 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