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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 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.
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.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Webster Groves
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Role | Median 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 |
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.65/hr | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Webster Groves 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 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.
More salary data for Webster Groves, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Webster Groves in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Webster Groves?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Webster Groves paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Webster Groves?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Webster Groves?
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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 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).
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