Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in South Charleston, WV: $29.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in South Charleston, WV runs $29.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,592 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against South Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,952 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in South Charleston, WV, earn a median hourly pay of $29.61, which falls significantly below the national median of $35.74. This difference can be a crucial factor for those considering positions in various care settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. As the hourly wage spans from $22.25 for entry-level positions to $33.59 for top earners, part-time workers (approximately three days a week) or those working per diem may find their financial expectations impacted by regional pay scales. The estimates for these hourly rates are derived from annual salary data projected for 2026, reflecting industry trends and localized economic conditions.
About the South Charleston Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.25 | $177.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.70 | $205.62 |
| Median (P50) | $29.61 | $236.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.96 | $247.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.59 | $268.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Charleston
Based on $29.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.61/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Charleston, WV can expect to earn approximately $61,587 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,531. With a cost-of-living index of 86.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,184.37 | $5,132 | $61,587 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $710.62 | $3,079 | $36,952 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $473.75 | $2,053 | $24,635 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (South Charleston) | $29.61 |
| 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 South Charleston, WV earn a median of $61,592 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.14% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.20% below the West Virginia state average of $64,293.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.61/hr = $36,952/year (purchasing power: $42,720).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,587/year (purchasing power: $71,199).
CoL index: 86.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in South Charleston grew 17.5% from $24.50/hr (2019) to $28.80/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.44/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 South Charleston 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 South Charleston
Part-time occupational therapy assistants working 24 hours a week in South Charleston can expect to take home around $36,098 annually, a figure that can contrast sharply with full-time peers. The per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in South Charleston can range from $30 to $45 an hour, with travel contracts potentially offering compensation between $1,100 and $1,700 per week. The landscape for employment varies widely depending on the type of facility; for instance, skilled nursing facilities and hospital settings might offer different rates due to reimbursement cuts in 2022 aimed at OTA services. While some assistants opt for positions with lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may prioritize higher pay without benefits. As a practical tip for negotiation, emphasizing flexibility and willingness to work varied hours can lead to better pay offers, particularly in an evolving job market impacted by changes from AOTA and Medicare policies.
More salary data for South Charleston, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in South Charleston in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in South Charleston?
Are occupational therapy assistants in South Charleston paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in South Charleston?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in South Charleston?
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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 South Charleston. 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 South Charleston 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