Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Southaven, MS: $30.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Southaven, MS runs $30.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,664 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Southaven's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,594 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Southaven, Mississippi, the projected median hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant is $30.12, which is significantly lower than the national average of $35.74 per hour. This hourly rate can be quite appealing for those looking for part-time positions or per-diem work in varied settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy spaces, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. The hourly range for occupational therapy assistants in this region spans from $22.46 for entry-level positions to $35.92 for top earners. These rates reflect estimates derived from annual salary data, making them crucial for professionals assessing their financial prospects in the field while considering different employment options.
About the Southaven 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) | $22.46 | $179.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.25 | $209.98 |
| Median (P50) | $30.12 | $240.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.22 | $257.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.92 | $287.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Southaven
Based on $30.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.12/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Southaven, MS can expect to earn approximately $62,657 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,148. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Southaven.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Southaven
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,204.93 | $5,221 | $62,657 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $722.96 | $3,133 | $37,594 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $481.97 | $2,089 | $25,063 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Southaven) | $30.12 |
| 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 Southaven, MS earn a median of $62,664 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.70% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.60% below the Mississippi state average of $63,683.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.12/hr = $37,594/year (purchasing power: $43,867).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,657/year (purchasing power: $73,111).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Southaven (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Southaven grew 17.5% from $24.93/hr (2019) to $29.30/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.97/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 Southaven 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 Southaven
For those considering part-time work as an occupational therapy assistant, a typical schedule of three days a week, which would amount to 24 hours, offers a unique earning potential compared to full-time positions. Part-time COTAs could take home significantly lower annual earnings than their full-time counterparts, with per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Southaven often ranging from $30 to $45 per hour. Meanwhile, travel contracts can bring in between $1,100 and $1,700 a week, although the reduced reimbursement rates have impacted payment for agency COTAs since the cuts imposed in 2022. Employers in various settings, including outpatient clinics and school districts, may differ in their pay structures, leading some assistants to negotiate for more favorable rates, especially when weighing the trade-offs between higher pay without benefits versus the security of lower hourly rates with health insurance options. When negotiating in Southaven, it's beneficial to research the local market and assess personal priorities regarding salary and benefits to ensure a satisfactory agreement.
More salary data for Southaven, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Southaven in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Southaven?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Southaven paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Southaven?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Southaven?
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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 Southaven. 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 Southaven 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