Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Beckley, WV: $59,900 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Beckley, WV earns a median $59,900/year (≈ $28.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Beckley's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $69,249 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.8% below the West Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected occupational therapy assistant salary in Beckley, WV, stands at $59,900, reflecting local adjustments based on state-level data and regional price parities. The salary range for this role extends from $47,255 at the lower end to $72,329 for those in the upper percentile, highlighting the potential for variation based on experience and the workplace setting. With productivity expectations typically influencing the number of patient visits per day, it's crucial for prospective occupational therapy assistants to understand how their compensation can fluctuate. The competitive nature of the market in Beckley suggests that job seekers should be proactive in assessing their options within the area to maximize both earnings and career trajectory.
About the Beckley Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,255 | $22.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,632 | $25.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,027 | $29.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,329 | $34.77 |
Median Salary Position
19.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Beckley
In Beckley, WV, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,074 (2026 est.). At $59,900, the local median is 19.42% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Beckley: You'd be above the median
How Beckley Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Beckley median: $59,900/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Beckley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $64,271 | -6.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -19.42% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Beckley, WV earn a median of $59,900 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.42% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.80% below the West Virginia state average of $64,271.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Beckley has a cost of living 13.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Beckley, WV has a cost-of-living index of 86.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $59,900 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,249 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,568
2025 BLS Actual
$58,263
2026 Current Est.
$59,900
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Beckley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,568 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,745 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,776 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,963 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,263 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,900 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,583 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Beckley metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $49,568 (2019) to $58,263 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,583 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,015 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Beckley 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) | $47,255 – $53,632 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,632 – $59,900 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,900 – $62,027 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,027 – $72,329 |
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 Beckley
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants is relatively small, with only four practitioners currently employed in Beckley. This limited workforce and a cost-of-living index of 86.5 indicate that while salaries may appear lower than the national median, the purchasing power for residents may be positively impacted. Among the highest-paying employers are skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers, where securing full-time positions often comes with better compensation. Factors driving the range in salaries include productivity expectations and variations in pay based on specific settings, such as the cutback in Medicare reimbursements affecting outpatient and skilled nursing facilities. To navigate this nuanced market effectively, aspiring COTAs should consider specializing in an area of high demand, pursue additional certifications, and network with local health providers to enhance their employment prospects and salary potential in Beckley.
More salary data for Beckley, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Beckley?
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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 $58,263 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Beckley 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 Beckley 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