Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Monroe, LA: $31.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Monroe, LA runs $31.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,932 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Monroe's regional price level (BEA RPP 83.6, 16% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,557 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly pay of $31.70, occupational therapy assistants in Monroe, Louisiana, earn less than the national hourly median of $35.74. This rate makes it important for those considering part-time or per-diem work to evaluate their weekly earnings carefully. For instance, working three days a week equates to approximately 24 hours, allowing assistants to take home a decent but lower paycheck compared to full-time employment. The hourly range for this profession spans from $24.34 for entry-level positions to $38.22 for those at the top of the pay scale. This BLS data underscores the realities faced by occupational therapy assistants, who often work across various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and even in patients' homes.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.34 | $194.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.10 | $232.76 |
| Median (P50) | $31.70 | $253.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.98 | $303.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.22 | $305.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Monroe
Based on $31.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.70/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Monroe, LA can expect to earn approximately $65,928 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,036. With a cost-of-living index of 83.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Monroe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Monroe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,267.85 | $5,494 | $65,928 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $760.71 | $3,296 | $39,557 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $507.14 | $2,198 | $26,371 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Monroe) | $31.70 |
| 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 Monroe, LA earn a median of $65,932 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.30% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.60% below the Louisiana state average of $67,692.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.70/hr = $39,557/year (purchasing power: $47,319).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,928/year (purchasing power: $78,864).
CoL index: 83.597 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+12.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Monroe grew 6.4% from $28.97/hr (2019) to $30.83/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.59/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 Monroe 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 Monroe
Many occupational therapy assistants pursuing part-time positions or per-diem opportunities in Monroe may earn varying amounts annually depending on their work schedules. For example, a COTA working three days a week could earn around $39,650 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Monroe frequently ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts offering weekly compensation between $1,100 and $1,700. However, recent reimbursement cuts have led to premium pay declines, especially in skilled nursing facilities. Hourly rates may vary further depending on the setting—hospital inpatient rehab might pay differently than outpatient clinics or school districts. While some COTAs choose jobs with lower hourly rates that offer benefits like health insurance, others may prefer higher hourly wages without the safety net of those benefits. In Monroe, effective negotiation on pay often hinges on understanding these trade-offs and being aware of the varying hourly rates across different types of healthcare facilities.
More salary data for Monroe, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Monroe in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Monroe?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Monroe paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Monroe?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Monroe?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 Monroe. 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, 7-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