Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Horn Lake, MS: $30.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Horn Lake, MS runs $30.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,407 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Horn Lake's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,440 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Horn Lake, Mississippi, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stands at $30.00, which is notably lower than the national median of $35.74. This discrepancy reflects local economic conditions and can influence the choices of those considering a career as a COTA in areas such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, and outpatient clinics. For part-time workers, such as those putting in three days a week, this rate means a stable income while balancing other responsibilities. Entry-level positions typically start around $21.36, while more experienced professionals can reach up to $37.42 per hour. These figures, derived from projected annual salaries, illustrate a range that provides opportunities for both new and seasoned occupational therapy assistants.
About the Horn Lake Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.36 | $170.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.31 | $202.49 |
| Median (P50) | $30.00 | $240.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.56 | $252.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.42 | $299.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Horn Lake
Based on $30.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.00/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Horn Lake, MS can expect to earn approximately $62,400 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,000. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Horn Lake.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Horn Lake
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,200.00 | $5,200 | $62,400 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $720.00 | $3,120 | $37,440 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.00 | $2,080 | $24,960 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Horn Lake) | $30.00 |
| 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 Horn Lake, MS earn a median of $62,407 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.04% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.00% below the Mississippi state average of $63,680.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.00/hr = $37,440/year (purchasing power: $43,687).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,400/year (purchasing power: $72,812).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Horn Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Horn Lake grew 17.5% from $24.83/hr (2019) to $29.18/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.84/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 Horn Lake 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 Horn Lake
For COTAs considering part-time positions in Horn Lake, working 24 hours a week translates to an annual income roughly reflecting their hourly earnings. In a per-diem context, COTAs often command $30 to $45 per hour. Travel contracts can be even more lucrative, with weekly rates ranging from $1,100 to $1,700, but the landscape has shifted since the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements in 2022 affected pay in skilled nursing facilities. Hourly rates can vary significantly depending on the setting; for example, school district contracts and early intervention programs may offer different compensation compared to hospital rehab settings. Occupational therapy assistants must also weigh the benefits of employment; positions with health insurance might pay less than those that offer higher hourly rates but no coverage. Practical negotiation strategies, particularly in a competitive market, could include researching average pay rates and articulating the value of diverse skills to prospective employers in Horn Lake.
More salary data for Horn Lake, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Horn Lake in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Horn Lake?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Horn Lake paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Horn Lake?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Horn Lake?
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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 Horn Lake. 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 Horn Lake 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