Occupational Therapist Salary in Elizabethtown, KY: $98,474 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Elizabethtown, KY earns a median $98,474/year (≈ $47.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Elizabethtown's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.6), that paycheck buys what $108,725 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The compensation for occupational therapists in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, is projected to see a median annual salary of $98,474 in 2026. This reflects a competitive market in comparison to the national median, which stands at $103,400, showing a slight variance of -4.76%. With salary expectations ranging from $67,082 at the 10th percentile to $131,329 for the 90th percentile, there is a broad spectrum for OT pay that reflects the diverse employment settings. Occupational therapists here can find opportunities across varying contexts, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and schools, each presenting unique advantages, such as year-round contracts versus school-year employment balances. This evolving salary landscape is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and speaks to the integration of occupational therapy in both rehabilitation and educational settings in Elizabethtown.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,082 | $32.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,292 | $41.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,474 | $47.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,728 | $53.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,329 | $63.14 |
Median Salary Position
4.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabethtown
In Elizabethtown, KY, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,247 (2026 est.). At $98,474, the local median is 4.76% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elizabethtown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elizabethtown Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Elizabethtown median: $98,474/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elizabethtown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $98,572 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -4.76% less |
Occupational Therapists in Elizabethtown, KY earn a median of $98,474 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.76% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 0.10% below the Kentucky state average of $98,572.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elizabethtown has a cost of living 9.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elizabethtown, KY has a cost-of-living index of 90.572 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $98,474 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,725 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,450
2025 BLS Actual
$95,550
2026 Current Est.
$98,474
2019–2027 Growth
+26.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Elizabethtown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,474 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,487 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabethtown metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.8% from $80,450 (2019) to $95,550 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,487 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,037 (26.15%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabethtown 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $67,082 – $86,292 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,292 – $98,474 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,474 – $110,728 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,728 – $131,329 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Elizabethtown
The job market in Elizabethtown currently employs around 40 occupational therapists, indicating a solid presence of professionals in the area. The cost of living index at 90.572 suggests that the purchasing power for occupational therapists may be favorable compared to national averages, as lower living costs can enhance take-home earnings. Among the highest-paying employers are hospital inpatient rehab facilities, which tend to offer better compensation than outpatient services or school districts. Various factors impact the pay scale, such as whether a therapist specializes (e.g., obtaining a CHT certification) or the type of employment setting they choose. Strategies for maximizing occupational therapist pay in Elizabethtown KY include pursuing additional credentials, like the CHT, to command higher salaries, choosing employer settings wisely, and negotiating contracts that balance productivity expectations and job security. Understanding these elements can help aspiring OTs effectively navigate their career paths in this market.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Elizabethtown, KY in 2026?
Is Elizabethtown, KY a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Elizabethtown?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Elizabethtown?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Elizabethtown?
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Career Resources
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
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 $95,550 for occupational therapistsin the Elizabethtown metropolitan area. A 3.06% 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
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