Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Bowling Green, OH: $64,848 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Bowling Green, OH earns a median $64,848/year (≈ $31.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Bowling Green's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $71,497 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Bowling Green, OH, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $64,848 in 2026, which is approximately 12.76% lower than the national median of $74,332 for the same year. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, with earnings expected to stretch from $47,787 at the bottom (P10) to $76,566 at the top (P90). These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and take into account local market conditions and the region's cost of living, which is reflected in Bowling Green's favorable cost index of 90.7. Given the existing local demand for COTAs, those interested in pursuing a pathway to a MOT can anticipate a positive financial trajectory over their careers.
About the Bowling Green Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,787 | $22.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,836 | $26.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,848 | $31.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,269 | $33.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,566 | $36.81 |
Median Salary Position
12.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bowling Green
In Bowling Green, OH, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,779 (2026 est.). At $64,848, the local median is 12.76% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Bowling Green: You'd be above the median
How Bowling Green Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Bowling Green median: $64,848/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bowling Green Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $65,240 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.76% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bowling Green, OH earn a median of $64,848 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.76% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.60% below the Ohio state average of $65,240.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bowling Green has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bowling Green, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,848 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,497 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,663
2025 BLS Actual
$63,076
2026 Current Est.
$64,848
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bowling Green (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,663 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,855 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,053 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,461 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,481 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,076 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,848 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,671 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bowling Green metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,663 (2019) to $63,076 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,671 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,008 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bowling Green 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) | $47,787 – $55,836 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,836 – $64,848 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,848 – $69,269 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,269 – $76,566 |
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 Bowling Green
With only seven occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Bowling Green, the job market remains relatively niche but stable. The cost of living index suggests that, while salaries might lag behind the national average, purchasing power remains reasonable for these professionals. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities often offer the highest pay; however, outpatient clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings can also provide competitive compensation. Differences in pay can be attributed to varying productivity expectations, such as the value placed on PRN shifts and weekend work. To maximize earnings, COTAs should consider opportunities that align with higher reimbursement rates and investigate school district contracts that may offer year-round positions. Awareness of the impact from the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut is crucial for navigating future pay negotiations and career planning in this specific Ohio market.
More salary data for Bowling Green, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Bowling Green?
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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 $63,076 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Bowling Green 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 Bowling Green 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