Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Belleville, IL: $29.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Belleville, IL runs $29.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,544 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Belleville's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,324 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Belleville, Illinois, occupational therapy assistants can expect a median hourly rate of $29.11, demonstrating a significant gap when compared to the national median of $35.74. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly pay reflects opportunities in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, and outpatient clinics. The hourly pay range varies from $21.88 for entry-level positions (P10) to $34.80 for those at the higher end of the scale (P90). These figures represent estimated hourly rates derived from the projected salaries for 2026, showcasing the potential earning capacity for occupational therapy assistants in Belleville, whether they focus on full-time roles or engage in per diem positions to optimize their work-life balance.
About the Belleville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.88 | $175.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.38 | $203.07 |
| Median (P50) | $29.11 | $232.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.44 | $251.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.80 | $278.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Belleville
Based on $29.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.11/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Belleville, IL can expect to earn approximately $60,539 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,927. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Belleville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Belleville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,164.22 | $5,045 | $60,539 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $698.53 | $3,027 | $36,324 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $465.69 | $2,018 | $24,216 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Belleville) | $29.11 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Belleville, IL earn a median of $60,544 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.55% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $63,463.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.11/hr = $36,324/year (purchasing power: $37,409).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,539/year (purchasing power: $62,348).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Belleville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Belleville grew 17.5% from $24.09/hr (2019) to $28.31/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.92/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Belleville 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.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Belleville
Earnings for occupational therapy assistants who work part-time in Belleville can reflect sharply different realities compared to their full-time counterparts. A three-day workweek totaling around 24 hours would provide approximately $36,000 annually, which could be less than a full-time salary but offers flexibility and time for other engagements, such as continued education in COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Belleville typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, especially for agency or locum roles, with traveling COTAs able to command weekly contracts between $1,100 and $1,700—though recent cuts in Medicare reimbursement rates have affected premium pay in some skilled nursing facilities. Hourly rates can also fluctuate based on the employer type; while skilled nursing facilities offer stability, outpatient clinics and home health agencies can provide varying compensation along with benefits considerations. Occupational therapy assistants should weigh the trade-offs of potentially lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance and consider practical negotiation strategies for enhancing their pay, especially in localized settings like Belleville, where small market dynamics play a substantial role.
More salary data for Belleville, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Belleville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Belleville?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Belleville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Belleville?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Belleville?
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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
Hourly wage 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 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Belleville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Belleville 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