Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in St. Louis, MO: $33.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in St. Louis, MO runs $33.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,345 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against St. Louis's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.1, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,610 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Louis, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected to be $33.34 in 2026, slightly below the national hourly median of $35.74. This rate offers a viable option for part-time and per-diem workers, especially in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics. With an hourly range spanning from $25.20 to $41.57, new occupational therapy assistants may find opportunities starting at the lower end while more experienced professionals can earn significantly higher. Such figures reflect the official data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and underscore the varying pay scale as it relates to skills and experience within this essential healthcare profession.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.20 | $201.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.27 | $242.14 |
| Median (P50) | $33.34 | $266.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.68 | $293.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.57 | $332.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Louis
Based on $33.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.34/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Louis, MO can expect to earn approximately $69,350 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,010. With a cost-of-living index of 95.09 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Louis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Louis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,333.65 | $5,779 | $69,350 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $800.19 | $3,467 | $41,610 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $533.46 | $2,312 | $27,740 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (St. Louis) | $33.34 |
| 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. Louis, MO earn a median of $69,345 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.71% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.40% above the Missouri state average of $64,567.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.34/hr = $41,610/year (purchasing power: $43,759).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,350/year (purchasing power: $72,932).
CoL index: 95.088 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in St. Louis grew 18.7% from $27.33/hr (2019) to $32.43/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.28/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. Louis 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. Louis
Analyzing the earning potential for a part-time occupational therapy assistant working three days per week, the take-home pay could amount to around $26,100 annually, significantly less than that of a full-time peer. For those looking at per diem opportunities, typical pay rates range from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts often averaging between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly. In St. Louis, occupational therapy assistants can find different hourly rates depending on their employer; those in skilled nursing facilities or hospital settings may receive lower wages compared to those in outpatient clinics or home health agencies. It’s essential for COTAs to weigh the benefits of lower hourly rates against the health insurance packages often offered by full-time roles. Those negotiating their pay must be strategic; researching prevalent rates, such as the average occupational therapy assistant hourly rate in MO, is vital for ensuring competitive compensation in a challenging market influenced by cuts to reimbursable services.
More salary data for St. Louis, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in St. Louis in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in St. Louis?
Are occupational therapy assistants in St. Louis paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in St. Louis?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in St. Louis?
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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. Louis. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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