Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in St. Charles, MO: $31.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in St. Charles, MO runs $31.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,298 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against St. Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,185 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in St. Charles, Missouri, is projected to be around $31.40 in 2026, which falls short of the national median hourly rate of $35.74. This hourly pay can significantly benefit those seeking part-time work, allowing for flexible schedules, such as a typical three-day workweek. In various settings like skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and school therapy rooms, hourly rates range from $22.29 for entry-level positions up to $37.95 for experienced professionals. These figures, derived from annual salaries, suggest that part-time and per-diem opportunities are feasible for COTAs looking to balance work with other commitments and responsibilities.
About the St. Charles 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) | $22.29 | $178.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.51 | $212.12 |
| Median (P50) | $31.40 | $251.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.99 | $271.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.95 | $303.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Charles
Based on $31.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.40/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Charles, MO can expect to earn approximately $65,308 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,678. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Charles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,255.93 | $5,442 | $65,308 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $753.56 | $3,265 | $39,185 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $502.37 | $2,177 | $26,123 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (St. Charles) | $31.40 |
| 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 St. Charles, MO earn a median of $65,298 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.15% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.10% above the Missouri state average of $64,587.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.40/hr = $39,185/year (purchasing power: $43,733).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,308/year (purchasing power: $72,889).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in St. Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in St. Charles grew 17.5% from $25.98/hr (2019) to $30.54/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.28/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 St. Charles 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 St. Charles
Analyzing the earning potential for part-time occupational therapy assistants in St. Charles reveals that working a 24-hour week might yield an annual income around $39,336, compared to the full-time standard. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in St. Charles typically falls between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel positions sometimes commanding weekly contracts between $1,100 and $1,700. However, the ongoing effects of the 15% Medicare cut have made securing higher-paying agency positions more challenging, particularly in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings. Variances in pay often reflect employer types; for example, hospital rehabilitation units might offer higher pay than school districts. Some COTAs choose reduced hourly wages with benefits over higher hourly compensation without health insurance. For those negotiating, emphasizing experience and relevant certifications can help secure a more favorable hourly rate in this competitive market.
More salary data for St. Charles, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in St. Charles in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in St. Charles?
Are occupational therapy assistants in St. Charles paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in St. Charles?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in St. Charles?
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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 St. Charles. 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 St. Charles 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