Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Zionsville, IN: $32.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Zionsville, IN runs $32.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,928 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Zionsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,160 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Zionsville, Indiana, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $32.18, which is nearly 10% lower than the national median of $35.74. This figure is significant for those considering part-time positions (for example, working three days a week) or per-diem jobs in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, and home health environments. Zionsville's hourly pay ranges from approximately $23.56 for entry-level positions to about $38.91 for experienced practitioners, making it essential for COTAs to evaluate opportunities based on both their skills and the settings they prefer. Such data is derived from annual salary projections but provides a useful framework for understanding the work-life balance available through hourly roles.
About the Zionsville 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) | $23.56 | $188.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.63 | $221.00 |
| Median (P50) | $32.18 | $257.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.01 | $280.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.91 | $311.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Zionsville
Based on $32.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.18/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Zionsville, IN can expect to earn approximately $66,933 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,615. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Zionsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Zionsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,287.18 | $5,578 | $66,933 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $772.31 | $3,347 | $40,160 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $514.87 | $2,231 | $26,773 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Zionsville) | $32.18 |
| 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 Zionsville, IN earn a median of $66,928 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.96% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.90% below the Indiana state average of $69,644.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.18/hr = $40,160/year (purchasing power: $43,987).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,933/year (purchasing power: $73,312).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Zionsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Zionsville grew 17.5% from $26.63/hr (2019) to $31.30/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.08/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 Zionsville 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 Zionsville
The earning potential for part-time occupational therapy assistants working a typical schedule of 24 hours per week can yield a take-home that could fall significantly short of full-time earnings. For those seeking flexibility, per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Zionsville generally ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, and travel contracts can offer between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly, depending on specific assignments. However, many occupational therapy assistants working in skilled nursing facilities or outpatient clinics may find their pay impacted by recent reimbursement changes due to the 15% Medicare cut. Moreover, hourly rates can vary considerably depending on the employer type, with skilled nursing facilities often paying less than home health agencies. Therefore, negotiating pay while weighing benefits is critical, especially in Zionsville's market. COTAs should approach salary discussions strategically, aiming to balance desired hourly rates with health insurance options, which can significantly influence their overall compensation and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Zionsville, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Zionsville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Zionsville?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Zionsville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Zionsville?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Zionsville?
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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 Zionsville. 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 Zionsville 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