Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Ballwin, MO: $29.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Ballwin, MO runs $29.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,889 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Ballwin's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,132 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Ballwin, MO, earn a median hourly rate of $29.75, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $35.74. This wage reflects the local job market conditions and the cost of living in the area, which has an index of 89.6, indicating it is below the national average. For part-time workers, specifically those putting in three days a week, this rate can equate to substantial earnings, especially considering typical settings for COTAs include skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and school environments. Entry-level positions offer hourly wages starting around $21.70, while experienced professionals can earn up to $35.92 per hour, illustrating a possible pathway for growth depending on experience and specific job roles.
About the Ballwin Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.70 | $173.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.46 | $203.65 |
| Median (P50) | $29.75 | $238.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.26 | $258.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.92 | $287.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ballwin
Based on $29.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.75/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ballwin, MO can expect to earn approximately $61,887 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,704. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ballwin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ballwin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,190.13 | $5,157 | $61,887 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $714.08 | $3,094 | $37,132 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $476.05 | $2,063 | $24,755 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Ballwin) | $29.75 |
| 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 Ballwin, MO earn a median of $61,889 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.74% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.20% below the Missouri state average of $64,602.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.75/hr = $37,132/year (purchasing power: $41,442).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,887/year (purchasing power: $69,070).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ballwin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Ballwin grew 17.5% from $24.62/hr (2019) to $28.94/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.59/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 Ballwin 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 Ballwin
The earning potential for a part-time occupational therapy assistant working in Ballwin can vary significantly compared to full-time counterparts. A COTA working just 24 hours a week may bring home an annual income of roughly $37,080, contrasting sharply with full-time professionals who earn substantially more. Those engaged in per diem or agency work often command higher rates, typically between $30 and $45 per hour, which can make this route appealing, especially for those needing more flexible schedules. However, contract positions, especially after the Medicare payment cuts, can limit earnings. Wages also differ based on employer types: those in skilled nursing facilities or hospital rehab settings might see lower hourly wages, while outpatient clinics and home health agencies could offer more competitive rates. Occupational therapy assistants must weigh the benefits of secure positions with health insurance against potentially higher hourly pay without such benefits, and negotiating based on local market rates is key to ensuring fair compensation in Ballwin.
More salary data for Ballwin, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Ballwin. 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 Ballwin 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