Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Morgantown, WV: $61,557 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Morgantown, WV earns a median $61,557/year (≈ $29.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Morgantown's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $71,164 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the West Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Morgantown, West Virginia, is projected to reach $61,557, which reflects a significant difference when contrasted with the national median of $74,332. Local compensation extends across a salary range from $46,645 at the 10th percentile to $76,215 at the 90th percentile, revealing a diverse earning potential for practitioners based on their experience and the settings in which they work. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, indicate that while salary expectations in Morgantown are below the national average, the robust demand for occupational therapy services in the area still provides opportunities for substantial income growth, particularly for those who maximize their productivity and work in high-demand facilities.
About the Morgantown Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,645 | $22.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,951 | $25.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,557 | $29.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,093 | $32.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,215 | $36.64 |
Median Salary Position
17.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morgantown
In Morgantown, WV, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,570 (2026 est.). At $61,557, the local median is 17.19% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Morgantown: You'd be above the median
How Morgantown Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Morgantown median: $61,557/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Morgantown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $64,323 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -17.19% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Morgantown, WV earn a median of $61,557 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.19% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.30% below the West Virginia state average of $64,323.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Morgantown 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.
Morgantown, WV has a cost-of-living index of 86.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $61,557 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,164 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,939
2025 BLS Actual
$59,875
2026 Current Est.
$61,557
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Morgantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,939 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,124 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,121 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,208 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,494 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,345 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,875 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,557 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,287 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Morgantown metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $50,939 (2019) to $59,875 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,287 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,348 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morgantown 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) | $46,645 – $53,951 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,951 – $61,557 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,557 – $68,093 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,093 – $76,215 |
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 Morgantown
Considering the job market locally, Morgantown has a small yet essential workforce of eight occupational therapy assistants. The cost of living in Morgantown, with an index of 86.5, suggests that while salaries are lower than national averages, the purchasing power remains favorable for residents. In terms of employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation tend to offer some of the higher wages compared to outpatient clinics or school districts. The spread in pay can be explained by factors such as productivity expectations, the seasonality of school contracts, and the impact of the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting outpatient services. For occupational therapy assistants aiming to maximize their pay in this market, considerations should include seeking employment in higher-paying settings, being open to weekend or PRN shifts, and engaging with professional networks that may help navigate the job landscape effectively.
More salary data for Morgantown, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Morgantown?
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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 $59,875 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Morgantown 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 Morgantown 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