Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Schererville, IN: $32.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Schererville, IN runs $32.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,334 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Schererville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,994 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Schererville, Indiana, can expect a median hourly pay of $32.85, which is slightly below the national average of $35.74 per hour. This hourly rate is indicative of potential earnings for both full-time and part-time COTAs who work in various settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. Part-time workers—say, those who might work three days a week—can utilize this hourly figure to calculate their earnings based on their schedules. The pay scale ranges from about $23.50 per hour for entry-level positions to $41.06 for those at the top end of the market in Schererville. It’s important to mention that these hourly rates are derived from annual salary data projections for 2026, providing a clear picture of compensation expectations in the field.
About the Schererville 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) | $23.50 | $188.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.03 | $232.27 |
| Median (P50) | $32.85 | $262.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.64 | $277.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.06 | $328.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Schererville
Based on $32.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.85/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Schererville, IN can expect to earn approximately $68,323 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,417. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Schererville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Schererville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,313.91 | $5,694 | $68,323 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $788.35 | $3,416 | $40,994 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $525.56 | $2,277 | $27,329 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Schererville) | $32.85 |
| 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 Schererville, IN earn a median of $68,334 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.07% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.90% below the Indiana state average of $69,657.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.85/hr = $40,994/year (purchasing power: $44,900).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,323/year (purchasing power: $74,834).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Schererville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Schererville grew 17.5% from $27.18/hr (2019) to $31.95/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.77/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 Schererville 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 Schererville
For those considering part-time work, an occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week would take home about $51,372 annually, which is significantly less than what a full-time COTA would earn. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Schererville can vary widely, often billing between $30 and $45 per hour, depending on the facility and demand. Travel COTA contracts have become attractive, offering weekly pay ranging from $1,100 to $1,700; however, shifts in reimbursement rates post-2022 may impact compensation in some traditional settings, like skilled nursing facilities. Hourly rates also fluctuate across Schererville’s employer types, with pay possibly lower in school districts compared to higher-paying roles in outpatient clinics or early intervention programs. COTAs often face a trade-off between accepting lower hourly pay; benefits like health insurance could sway their decision towards stability over higher earnings. As such, strong negotiation skills can be essential; knowing local pay trends and being prepared to discuss expected hourly rates can significantly aid in securing favorable compensation.
More salary data for Schererville, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Schererville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Schererville?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Schererville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Schererville?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Schererville?
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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 Schererville. 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 Schererville 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