Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Starkville, MS: $29.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Starkville, MS runs $29.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,947 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Starkville's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,171 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Starkville, Mississippi, the projected median hourly pay for occupational therapy assistants stands at $29.78, which is notably lower than the national median of $35.74. This disparity in hourly rate impacts potential earnings for part-time workers, particularly those engaged in 24-hour work weeks, or even per-diem occupational therapy assistants, who typically operate in settings such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and schools. With an hourly pay range from $20.84 for entry-level positions to $34.88 for experienced professionals, the financial landscape may influence job choices, with many COTAs opting for less traditional pathways, including per diem work that can often be structured flexibly yet may provide variable hourly compensation.
About the Starkville 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) | $20.84 | $166.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.67 | $213.35 |
| Median (P50) | $29.78 | $238.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.71 | $253.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.88 | $279.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Starkville
Based on $29.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.78/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Starkville, MS can expect to earn approximately $61,951 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,741. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Starkville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Starkville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,191.36 | $5,163 | $61,951 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $714.82 | $3,098 | $37,171 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $476.54 | $2,065 | $24,780 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Starkville) | $29.78 |
| 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 Starkville, MS earn a median of $61,947 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.66% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.80% below the Mississippi state average of $63,732.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.78/hr = $37,171/year (purchasing power: $43,373).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,951/year (purchasing power: $72,288).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Starkville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Starkville grew 17.5% from $24.65/hr (2019) to $28.97/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.62/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 Starkville 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 Starkville
Looking deeper into Starkville's occupational therapy assistant pay dynamics reveals essential insights regarding earning potential. For a part-time schedule of three days a week, COTAs could expect to earn around $46,300 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. The per-diem model also presents variable opportunities; while COTAs in Starkville may find agencies that pay between $30 and $45 per hour, employing travel contracts can yield sums between $1,100 and $1,700 per week. Occupational therapy assistants often face a trade-off between hourly wages and benefits; those working in skilled nursing facilities or schools may earn slightly less but frequently receive better health insurance options compared to higher-paying per diem roles that lack these benefits. Proficient negotiation for hourly workers is vital, especially in a marketplace influenced by shifts in Medicare reimbursements and local job availability, allowing COTAs to balance immediate pay against long-term security.
More salary data for Starkville, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Starkville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Starkville?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Starkville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Starkville?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Starkville?
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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 Starkville. 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 Starkville 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