Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Hastings, NE: $31.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Hastings, NE runs $31.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,357 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Hastings's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,814 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hastings, Nebraska, the hourly pay for occupational therapy assistants averages $31.90, which is below the national median hourly rate of $35.74. For professionals working part-time, such as those putting in around three days a week, this rate offers a reliable income stream, especially within diverse work settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics. Entry-level COTAs might earn around $22.54 an hour, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $37.65, reflecting a wide range of experience and responsibility within the role. This pay structure illustrates the estimated values based on 2026 projections derived from 2025 BLS data, which helps in understanding local earning trends in occupational therapy.
About the Hastings Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska 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) | $26.75 | $214.01 |
| Median (P50) | $31.90 | $255.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.06 | $272.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.65 | $301.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hastings
Based on $31.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.90/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hastings, NE can expect to earn approximately $66,356 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,282. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hastings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hastings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,276.08 | $5,530 | $66,356 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $765.65 | $3,318 | $39,814 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $510.43 | $2,212 | $26,542 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Hastings) | $31.90 |
| 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 Hastings, NE earn a median of $66,357 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.73% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.40% below the Nebraska state average of $67,988.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.90/hr = $39,814/year (purchasing power: $43,512).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,356/year (purchasing power: $72,520).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hastings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Hastings grew 17.5% from $26.40/hr (2019) to $31.03/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.80/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 Hastings 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 Hastings
Focusing on part-time earnings, a COTA working 24 hours a week brings home around $39,745 annually, which is significantly less than the full-time potential but still provides a decent living in Hastings. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Hastings varies, with professionals billing between $30 and $45 an hour, depending on their specific roles and settings. While many agencies offer travel contracts that can range from $1,100 to $1,700 weekly, these opportunities have become more competitive, especially following reimbursement cuts experienced post-2022. Occupational therapy assistants may find earnings differ based on their workplace; for instance, those at skilled nursing facilities may earn less than those with school district contracts or outpatient clinics. Moreover, the benefits package often influences pay decisions, as some COTAs may choose lower hourly rates for the health insurance benefits offered, while others might prioritize higher earnings but sacrifice benefits. Negotiating terms based on the hospital or clinic's financial flexibility can also play a vital role in securing a favorable pay rate for hourly workers in Hastings.
More salary data for Hastings, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Hastings in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Hastings?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Hastings paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Hastings?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Hastings?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Nebraska
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 Hastings. 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 Hastings 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