Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Gary, IN: $33.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Gary, IN runs $33.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,754 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Gary's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,854 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gary, Indiana, occupational therapy assistants earn a median hourly rate of $33.54, slightly below the national average of $35.74. This level of pay provides flexibility for part-time and per-diem workers in settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. For those looking to work part-time three days a week, or engage in per-diem opportunities, hourly earnings can range significantly. The pay for entry-level positions starts around $23.28, while those in senior roles can earn up to $43.22 per hour. These estimates reflect yearly data projections based on existing salary trends and can help future occupational therapy assistants in Gary gauge their potential earnings.
About the Gary Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.28 | $186.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.91 | $223.30 |
| Median (P50) | $33.54 | $268.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.90 | $287.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.22 | $345.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gary
Based on $33.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.54/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gary, IN can expect to earn approximately $69,756 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,244. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gary.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gary
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,341.46 | $5,813 | $69,756 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $804.88 | $3,488 | $41,854 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $536.59 | $2,325 | $27,902 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Gary) | $33.54 |
| 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 Gary, IN earn a median of $69,754 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.16% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.10% above the Indiana state average of $69,684.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.54/hr = $41,854/year (purchasing power: $45,842).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,756/year (purchasing power: $76,403).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Gary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Gary grew 17.5% from $27.75/hr (2019) to $32.62/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.48/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 Gary 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 Gary
While full-time occupational therapy assistants can expect stable income, part-time workers who log about 24 hours each week will take home a significantly lesser annual amount compared to their full-time counterparts. Per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Gary typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, while travel COTA contracts can yield weekly earnings of $1,100 to $1,700. However, with the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts impacting SNF and outpatient settings, compensation has faced downward pressure. Hourly rates can fluctuate based on employer types, with positions in schools or specialized programs potentially offering different pay scales compared to those in acute care. Accepting lower hourly pay in exchange for health insurance that benefits a worker's financial stability is a common consideration among COTAs. Understanding how to negotiate for better hourly compensation, based on the varied rates available in Gary, is critical for current and aspiring occupational therapy assistants.
More salary data for Gary, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Gary in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Gary?
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How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Gary?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Gary?
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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 Gary. 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 Gary 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