Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in St. Peters, MO: $31.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in St. Peters, MO runs $31.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,420 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against St. Peters's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,249 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in St. Peters, MO, is projected to be $31.45 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $35.74. This hourly figure is relevant for both full-time and part-time positions, particularly for those working three days a week. For part-time laborers, the median pay offers a solid foundation while allowing the flexibility to balance work with other commitments. Per-diem workers, who often find opportunities in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics, can earn between $22.43 at the entry-level and $38.21 for those with more experience and expertise. These projections illustrate how hourly rates are derived from annual salary data, making it critical for prospective COTAs to consider their working conditions and the hours they wish to commit.
About the St. Peters 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) | $22.43 | $179.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.63 | $213.02 |
| Median (P50) | $31.45 | $251.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.76 | $278.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.21 | $305.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Peters
Based on $31.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.45/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Peters, MO can expect to earn approximately $65,415 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,739. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Peters.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Peters
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,257.98 | $5,451 | $65,415 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $754.79 | $3,271 | $39,249 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $503.19 | $2,181 | $26,166 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (St. Peters) | $31.45 |
| 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. Peters, MO earn a median of $65,420 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.99% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.30% above the Missouri state average of $64,581.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.45/hr = $39,249/year (purchasing power: $43,805).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,415/year (purchasing power: $73,008).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in St. Peters (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in St. Peters grew 17.5% from $26.02/hr (2019) to $30.59/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.33/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. Peters 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. Peters
Assessing the potential earnings for a part-time occupational therapy assistant reveals a considerable difference compared to full-time counterparts. A COTA working three days a week (24 hours) could take home approximately $40,080 annually, which provides substantial income. Alternatively, per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in St. Peters typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, with some traveling contracts netting between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly. However, the post-2022 reimbursement cuts have made agency pay less favorable, particularly in skilled nursing settings where hourly rates declined. Different employer types in St. Peters, such as school district contracts and home health agencies, may also vary pay scales. Many occupational therapy assistants negotiate their hourly rates based on benefits received; for instance, some may accept lower pay for the stability of health insurance, while others might pursue higher hourly rates without benefits. For COTAs negotiating pay, understanding the local demand and typical rates at various payment benchmarks can lead to more favorable outcomes.
More salary data for St. Peters, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in St. Peters in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in St. Peters?
Are occupational therapy assistants in St. Peters paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in St. Peters?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in St. Peters?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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. Peters. 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. Peters 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