Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Ardmore, OK: $62,537 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Ardmore, OK earns a median $62,537/year (≈ $30.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Ardmore's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $70,345 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $62,537 in 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Ardmore, Oklahoma, receive compensation that is notably below the national average of $74,332. The salary range for this role spans from $45,952 at the 10th percentile to $76,206 at the 90th percentile, providing a diverse earning potential based on experience and setting. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for local cost factors, reflect the unique economic dynamics of Ardmore. The market for occupational therapy assistants here is shaped by productivity expectations, notably the number of visits-per-day, which can significantly influence effective compensation.
About the Ardmore Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,952 | $22.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,943 | $25.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,537 | $30.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,243 | $32.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,206 | $36.64 |
Median Salary Position
15.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ardmore
In Ardmore, OK, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,254 (2026 est.). At $62,537, the local median is 15.87% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Ardmore: You'd be above the median
How Ardmore Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Ardmore median: $62,537/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ardmore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $66,107 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.87% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ardmore, OK earn a median of $62,537 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.87% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.40% below the Oklahoma state average of $66,107.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ardmore has a cost of living 11.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ardmore, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,537 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,345 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,750
2025 BLS Actual
$60,828
2026 Current Est.
$62,537
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ardmore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,953 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,935 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,055 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,377 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,527 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,828 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,537 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,295 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ardmore metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,750 (2019) to $60,828 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,295 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,545 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ardmore 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) | $45,952 – $53,943 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,943 – $62,537 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,537 – $68,243 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,243 – $76,206 |
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 Ardmore
Looking deeper into Ardmore's job market, the presence of just seven occupational therapy assistants indicates a relatively small employment pool. With a cost-of-living index of 88.9, living expenses in Ardmore are manageable, which can enhance the purchasing power of salaries in this region. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab units tend to offer some of the higher salaries, while school districts generally provide lower compensation. Variations in pay can be driven by working conditions; hospital settings often have more stringent productivity demands and can include weekend premiums, while school-year contracts might be less lucrative year-round due to the influence of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA service rates. For those in Ardmore looking to maximize their income, focusing on outpatient clinics and pursuing specialized certifications may provide opportunities for upward mobility within this niche market.
More salary data for Ardmore, OK:
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 $60,828 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Ardmore 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 Ardmore 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