Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Metairie, LA: $32.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Metairie, LA runs $32.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,947 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Metairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,763 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Metairie, Louisiana, earn a median hourly pay of $32.66, which is somewhat below the national median of $35.74. This rate reflects what professionals in the field can expect to earn in typical environments, such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, and outpatient clinics. For part-time workers, particularly those engaging in three-day-per-week schedules, hourly earnings translate into a solid income while giving flexibility in care settings. The hourly range spans from $21.80 for entry-level positions to $42.42 for the top earners, indicating potential growth within the profession as experience and skills develop. These specific hourly rates are derived from annual salary data and are vital for understanding the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Metairie.
About the Metairie Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.80 | $174.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.56 | $228.48 |
| Median (P50) | $32.66 | $261.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.71 | $285.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.42 | $339.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Metairie
Based on $32.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.66/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Metairie, LA can expect to earn approximately $67,938 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,195. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Metairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Metairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,306.51 | $5,662 | $67,938 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $783.91 | $3,397 | $40,763 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $522.60 | $2,265 | $27,175 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Metairie) | $32.66 |
| 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 Metairie, LA earn a median of $67,947 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.59% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.40% above the Louisiana state average of $67,676.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.66/hr = $40,763/year (purchasing power: $45,142).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,938/year (purchasing power: $75,236).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Metairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Metairie grew 17.5% from $27.03/hr (2019) to $31.77/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.58/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 Metairie 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 Metairie
Examining the financial prospects, a part-time occupational therapy assistant in Metairie, working 24 hours over a three-day workweek, could take home an estimated annual income that allows for a stable lifestyle, though it is significantly less than what full-time workers can achieve. Many prefer per diem roles, where reimbursement typically falls between $30 and $45 per hour. Additionally, travel contracts can reward COTAs with weekly compensation ranging from $1,100 to $1,700, although premium pay in skilled nursing facilities has diminished following changes to Medicare policies. Hourly pay varies depending on the setting of employment; for instance, school district contracts may have different funding structures compared to home health agencies or outpatient clinics. Factors such as health benefits play a key role in deciding whether to accept lower hourly wages for greater job security. Occupational therapy assistants looking for employment in Metairie would benefit from honing negotiation skills, especially regarding pay rates and benefits, to ensure they secure a position that aligns with their financial and career goals.
More salary data for Metairie, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Metairie in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Metairie?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Metairie paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Metairie?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Metairie?
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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 Metairie. 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 Metairie 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