Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Fort Wayne, IN: $36.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Fort Wayne, IN runs $36.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,185 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Fort Wayne's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,113 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Wayne, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $36.15 in 2026. This figure surpasses the national median hourly rate of $35.74, highlighting an attractive compensation landscape for COTAs in this city. For those considering part-time positions, such as working three days a week, the earnings can provide a solid supplementary income whether in skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, or home health settings. With an hourly range starting at $26.13 for entry-level positions, top earners can expect up to $44.42. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reflects a promising career path for occupational therapy assistants in Fort Wayne, with ample opportunities to navigate levels of compensation.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.13 | $209.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.13 | $249.05 |
| Median (P50) | $36.15 | $289.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.81 | $302.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.42 | $355.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Wayne
Based on $36.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.15/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Wayne, IN can expect to earn approximately $75,188 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,378. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Wayne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Wayne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,445.92 | $6,266 | $75,188 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $867.55 | $3,759 | $45,113 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $578.37 | $2,506 | $30,075 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Fort Wayne) | $36.15 |
| 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 Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $75,185 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.15% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 7.90% above the Indiana state average of $69,680.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.15/hr = $45,113/year (purchasing power: $48,733).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,188/year (purchasing power: $81,221).
CoL index: 92.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fort Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Fort Wayne grew 24.8% from $28.17/hr (2019) to $35.16/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.16/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 Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne
Part-time occupational therapy assistants working 24 hours a week in Fort Wayne can potentially earn an annual income of around $45,000, providing flexibility while still maintaining a respectable income compared to full-time counterparts. For those opting for per-diem work, rates typically range from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts fetching between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly, though the realities of agency work can vary. The shift in reimbursement rates post-2022 may have affected some SNF positions, influencing hourly rates across different employer types, including hospitals, clinics, and school districts. Many therapists weigh the trade-offs between slightly lower hourly wages for roles offering health benefits and the higher compensation of positions lacking such perks. To maximize earning potential, it’s wise for COTAs in Fort Wayne to negotiate their pay based on specific settings, skill levels, and experiences while remaining informed about the financial backdrop shaped by organizations like AOTA and the impact of the 15% Medicare cut on pay structures.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Fort Wayne in 2026?
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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 Fort Wayne. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 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