Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Moline, IL: $30.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Moline, IL runs $30.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,359 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Moline's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,620 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Moline, Illinois, receive a median hourly pay of $30.95, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $35.74. This difference reflects the local job market dynamics and cost of living, which is slightly below the national average. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this rate translates to a practical earning opportunity while maintaining work-life balance; for instance, part-time workers would generate around $1,186 weekly before taxes, making it viable to fit into various therapy settings, whether that be in skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, or through home health visits. Entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn around $22.33 per hour, whereas the more experienced professionals can make as much as $36.14 per hour, demonstrating a broad range of economic possibilities within the profession.
About the Moline 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) | $22.33 | $178.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.39 | $211.13 |
| Median (P50) | $30.95 | $247.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.47 | $267.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.14 | $289.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Moline
Based on $30.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.95/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Moline, IL can expect to earn approximately $64,367 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,135. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Moline.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Moline
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,237.83 | $5,364 | $64,367 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $742.70 | $3,218 | $38,620 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $495.13 | $2,146 | $25,747 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Moline) | $30.95 |
| 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 Moline, IL earn a median of $64,359 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.42% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.40% above the Illinois state average of $63,470.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.95/hr = $38,620/year (purchasing power: $39,774).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,367/year (purchasing power: $66,290).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Moline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Moline grew 17.5% from $25.61/hr (2019) to $30.10/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.82/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 Moline 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 Moline
The earning potential for part-time occupational therapy assistants—working around 24 hours weekly—could yield an annual income that still falls short of full-time salaries, which typically hover around $64,359. For instance, working part-time at the hourly median results in an annual take-home that is significantly less than a full-time colleague. Many COTAs choose per diem positions, which typically provide wages ranging from $30 to $45 per hour, depending on the employer and complexity of care provided, offering flexibility but often at the cost of benefits such as health insurance. Furthermore, agencies may pay travel occupational therapy assistants between $1,100 and $1,700 per week, highlighting variability based on the employer type, whether that is in educational settings, home health agencies, or hospitals. Shifting priorities can lead COTAs to accept lower hourly rates for the security of health coverage or pursue higher pay options that lack traditional benefits. For those in Moline, understanding these dynamics can aid in effective salary negotiations, ensuring compensation aligns with both financial needs and career aspirations.
More salary data for Moline, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Moline in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Moline?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Moline paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Moline?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Moline?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 Moline. 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 Moline 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