Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in South Bend, IN: $30.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in South Bend, IN runs $30.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,434 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against South Bend's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,056 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants (COTAs) in South Bend, Indiana, experience an estimated hourly pay of $30.49, which is lower than the national hourly median of $35.74. This pay can significantly impact part-time workers who may only be employed three days a week, potentially earning around $485 for a typical 24-hour schedule. This hourly rate sets the framework for varied employment settings, ranging from skilled nursing facilities and hospital rehab units to outpatient clinics and home health visits. Entry-level assistants can expect to earn approximately $23.43 an hour, while top earners might reach $38.05 per hour, reflecting a pronounced range in compensation that highlights both experience and job setting. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.43 | $187.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.62 | $188.92 |
| Median (P50) | $30.49 | $243.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.90 | $279.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.05 | $304.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Bend
Based on $30.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.49/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Bend, IN can expect to earn approximately $63,426 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,592. With a cost-of-living index of 92.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Bend.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Bend
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,219.74 | $5,286 | $63,426 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $731.84 | $3,171 | $38,056 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $487.90 | $2,114 | $25,371 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (South Bend) | $30.49 |
| 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 South Bend, IN earn a median of $63,434 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.66% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 8.90% below the Indiana state average of $69,631.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.49/hr = $38,056/year (purchasing power: $40,983).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,426/year (purchasing power: $68,305).
CoL index: 92.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in South Bend grew 17.5% from $25.23/hr (2019) to $29.66/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.35/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 South Bend 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 South Bend
For those considering part-time opportunities, the earning potential for an occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week translates to an annual income of about $37,750. In comparison, full-time employees may earn substantially more over the year. For per diem or agency COTAs, rates typically range from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts providing even more lucrative options, often billing between $1,100 to $1,700 weekly. However, after the 15% Medicare Part B cut for OTA-provided services in 2022, some facilities, especially skilled nursing facilities, may offer lower rates. Each work setting in South Bend presents unique variations in pay, with skilled nursing facilities and hospitals often providing more consistent hours compared to the sporadic nature of school districts and early intervention programs. Occupational therapy assistants must consider the trade-offs between lower hourly wages that include health insurance versus higher pay without benefits; knowing what they value most can inform better negotiations. Understanding market trends and maintaining current credentials with AOTA and NBCOT can also improve an assistant’s ability to negotiate competitively within the market.
More salary data for South Bend, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 South Bend. 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, 6-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