Occupational Therapist Salary in Kentucky: $100,249 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $100,249/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $112,261 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Louisville ($104,276), Ashland ($100,121), Louisville/Jefferson County ($100,040).
In Kentucky, the average median salary for occupational therapists in 2026 is projected to be $100,249, slightly below the national median of $103,400, reflecting a 3.0% difference. In terms of city-specific salaries, Louisville leads with an average of $107,467, while Bowling Green is at the lower end with $86,828, creating a salary gap of $20,639. The difference in salaries across cities can be attributed to factors such as demand for services, local cost of living, and varying healthcare funding levels. Kentucky's licensing requirements for occupational therapists include completion of a graduate-level program and passing a national certification exam. Scope of practice laws allow for a diverse range of services, enhanced by an increasing demand for therapeutic services due to an aging population and greater awareness of mental health issues. The job market for occupational therapists in Kentucky is expected to grow, with an annual compound growth rate of 3.06%, indicating a stable demand for professionals in this field. Areas such as Ashland ($103,185) and Lexington ($98,752) also show positive salary projections, contributing to a healthy job outlook for aspiring occupational therapists in the state.
Kentucky Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $67,082 (lowest entry-level) to $146,101 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky occupational therapists earn 3.05% less than the national median ($-3,151/year difference).
Kentucky Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in Kentucky range from $73,637 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $126,593 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $100,249. The Kentucky median is $3,151 below the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $48.20/hr. Approximately 1,528 occupational therapists are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$76,867
2025 BLS Actual
$97,272
2026 Current Est.
$100,249
2019–2027 Growth
+34.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Kentucky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,867 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,873 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,333 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,481 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,086 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,013 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,272 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,249 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,316 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 26.5% from $76,867 (2019) to $97,272 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,316 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,449 (34.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentucky 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 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kentucky
Lowest Paying Cities in Kentucky
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $86,828 |
| Murray | $92,194 |
| Jeffersontown | $93,576 |
| Madisonville | $93,906 |
| Georgetown | $94,257 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $107,467 | 89.3 | $120,344 |
| Ashland | $103,185 | 89.3 | $115,549 |
| Paducah | $97,134 | 86.084 | $112,836 |
| Owensboro | $98,670 | 88.61 | $111,353 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $103,101 | 93.074 | $110,773 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $73,637 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $100,249 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $126,593 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kentucky metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville | $107,467 |
| 2 | Ashland | $103,185 |
| 3 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $103,101 |
| 4 | Lexington | $98,752 |
| 5 | Owensboro | $98,670 |
| 6 | Elizabethtown | $98,474 |
| 7 | Independence | $97,791 |
| 8 | Florence | $97,676 |
| 9 | Covington | $97,263 |
| 10 | Paducah | $97,134 |
| 11 | Nicholasville | $97,079 |
| 12 | Richmond | $97,057 |
| 13 | Frankfort | $96,559 |
| 14 | Henderson | $96,398 |
| 15 | Hopkinsville | $96,054 |
| 16 | Radcliff | $94,588 |
| 17 | Georgetown | $94,257 |
| 18 | Madisonville | $93,906 |
| 19 | Jeffersontown | $93,576 |
| 20 | Murray | $92,194 |
| 21 | Bowling Green | $86,828 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in Kentucky cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new occupational therapists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapists.
Explore More Occupational Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in Kentucky?
How many occupational therapists are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky city offers the best value for occupational therapists?
Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapist compensation across Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov