Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Tupelo, MS: $30.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Tupelo, MS runs $30.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,084 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Tupelo's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,851 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tupelo, Mississippi, the projected occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is $30.33, which lags behind the national median hourly rate of $35.74. This pay scale offers varied opportunities for workers considering part-time roles or per-diem positions in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and schools. For example, a part-time worker averaging three days a week can significantly benefit from this hourly rate, making it possible to access competitive earnings while managing work-life balance. The hourly range for COTAs in Tupelo extends from $21.26 for entry-level positions to $35.60 for those at the higher end of expertise, making the prospects a bit more encouraging as one moves up in the field.
About the Tupelo 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) | $21.26 | $170.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.16 | $217.30 |
| Median (P50) | $30.33 | $242.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.27 | $258.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.60 | $284.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tupelo
Based on $30.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.33/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tupelo, MS can expect to earn approximately $63,084 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,395. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tupelo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tupelo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,213.16 | $5,257 | $63,084 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $727.89 | $3,154 | $37,851 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $485.26 | $2,103 | $25,234 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Tupelo) | $30.33 |
| 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 Tupelo, MS earn a median of $63,084 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.13% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.00% below the Mississippi state average of $63,721.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.33/hr = $37,851/year (purchasing power: $44,166).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,084/year (purchasing power: $73,611).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tupelo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Tupelo grew 17.5% from $25.10/hr (2019) to $29.50/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.18/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 Tupelo 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 Tupelo
When considering annual take-home pay, part-time occupational therapy assistants working 24 hours a week can expect to earn approximately $37,884, in contrast to their full-time counterparts who can earn considerably more. With per-diem COTAs in Tupelo often billing between $30-$45 per hour, and travel contracts offering weekly rates from $1,100 to $1,700, financial flexibility is a notable advantage of this career trajectory, especially post-2022 with reimbursement cuts affecting some settings. However, hourly rates can differ greatly based on the type of employer, with skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics potentially offering lower rates compared to hospital settings or school contracts. This variability often leads COTAs to weigh the trade-offs between accepting lower pay with benefits versus seeking higher hourly wages that lack fringe benefits. For those skilled in negotiation, understanding the nuances of local hiring practices could enhance their earning potential in the Mississippi job market as they shape their careers in occupational therapy.
More salary data for Tupelo, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Tupelo in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Tupelo?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Tupelo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Tupelo?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Tupelo?
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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 Tupelo. 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 Tupelo 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