OT Assistant Salary

Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Webster Groves, MO: $29.81 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Webster Groves, MO runs $29.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,019 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Webster Groves's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,209 per year.

$62,019
Median Annual Salary
$29.81/hr
Hourly Rate
$46,882
Entry Level (P10)
$70,504
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Rate in Webster Groves, MO — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Webster Groves, MO occupational therapy assistant hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Webster Groves, the projected median hourly pay for occupational therapy assistants is $29.81, which falls short of the national average of $35.74. This discrepancy means that those working in various settings—such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, outpatient clinics, school therapy rooms, and during home health visits—might find their part-time or per-diem arrangements more tailored to their needs but potentially less lucrative. In this context, hourly wages range from $22.54 for entry-level positions to approximately $33.90 for experienced professionals. The ability to work part-time, for instance, three days a week could still yield a respectable income, albeit at rates that reflect the local economic landscape as estimated from annual salary data.

About the Webster Groves Market

Salary estimated from Missouri average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$22.54$180.29
Lower Range (P25)$25.98$207.84
Median (P50)$29.81$238.52
Upper Range (P75)$31.31$250.45
Top Earners (P90)$33.90$271.17

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Webster Groves

Based on $29.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a occupational therapy assistant in Webster Groves earning $29.81/hr would make approximately $35,778 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $62,015 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$35,778Reduced (32 hr/wk)$47,704Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$62,015

At $29.81/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Webster Groves, MO can expect to earn approximately $62,015 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,778. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Webster Groves.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$238.52
per 8hr shift
$1,192.60
per week
$5,168
per month
$62,015
per year

Schedule Comparison in Webster Groves

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$1,192.60$5,168$62,015
Part-Time (24 hrs)$715.56$3,101$37,209
Per Diem (16 hrs)$477.04$2,067$24,806

Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Occupational Therapy Assistant (Webster Groves)$29.81
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
Horizontal bar chart comparing occupational therapy assistant median salary in Webster Groves ($62,019) with Missouri average ($64,603) and the US national median ($74,332).Webster Groves$62,019Missouri Avg$64,603-4.00%US National$74,332-16.56%

Occupational Therapy Assistants in Webster Groves, MO earn a median of $62,019 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.56% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.00% below the Missouri state average of $64,603.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $29.81/hr = $37,209/year (purchasing power: $41,528).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,015/year (purchasing power: $69,213).

CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2019 BLS Actual

$24.67/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$29.00/hr

2026 Current Est.

$29.81/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+24.2%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Webster Groves (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for occupational therapy assistants in Webster Groves. Baseline $24.67/hr in 2025, projected to $30.65/hr by 2027.$23$26$28$30$322019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$24.67$25.25$24.76$25.77$26.88$25.65$29.00$29.81$30.65
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$24.67/hrActual
2020$25.25/hrActual
2021$24.76/hrActual
2022$25.77/hrActual
2023$26.88/hrActual
2024$25.65/hrActual
2025$29.00/hrActual
2026(current)$29.81/hrEstimated
2027$30.65/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Webster Groves grew 17.5% from $24.67/hr (2019) to $29.00/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.65/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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Webster Groves metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Webster Groves

Considering the realities of part-time work in this field, a therapist who works 24 hours a week will see an income that varies markedly from full-time colleagues. The per-diem or agency occupational therapy assistant pay in Webster Groves typically hovers between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contracts offering weekly earnings that can range from $1,100 to $1,700. However, agency positions might offer premiums that have diminished lately due to post-2022 reimbursement cuts that affected many healthcare sectors. In Webster Groves, varying employer types influence these rates significantly; while skilled nursing facilities may provide steadier hours, school districts and outpatient clinics often bring different pay structures. Additionally, many occupational therapy assistants must weigh the trade-offs of lower hourly wages against the benefits of health insurance and other perks when considering their employment options. To optimize earnings, it’s advisable for professionals—especially those newly entering the field— to keep an open dialogue during negotiations about pay, focusing on both hourly rates and overall compensation packages.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Webster Groves in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Webster Groves is $29.81/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.81% annual growth). Rates range from $22.54 at entry level (10th percentile) to $33.90 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 16.6% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Webster Groves?

A part-time occupational therapy assistant working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Webster Groves earns approximately $3,101/month, or $37,209/year at the median hourly rate of $29.81. Many occupational therapy assistants prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are occupational therapy assistants in Webster Groves paid hourly or salary?

The majority of occupational therapy assistants in Webster Groves are paid hourly at a median rate of $29.81/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $62,015/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Webster Groves?

A full-time occupational therapy assistant working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Webster Groves earns approximately $62,015/year at the median hourly rate of $29.81. This is 16.6% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $70,505/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Webster Groves?

Part-time and per diem occupational therapy assistants in Webster Groves sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $33.90/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

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 Webster Groves. 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 Webster Groves is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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