Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Wheeling, WV: $30.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Wheeling, WV runs $30.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,431 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Wheeling's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.3, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,659 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Wheeling, WV are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $30.98 in 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national hourly median of $35.74. This figure highlights the financial landscape for both full-time and part-time workers in various settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics. Part-time workers who take on a 3-day workweek can expect to earn approximately $614 weekly based on this hourly rate. Additionally, there is a range from $24.34 for entry-level positions to $38.44 for the highest earners in the field according to Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. The steady pay structure offers flexibility for per-diem occupational therapy assistant roles, which can be a viable option for professionals looking to balance work with personal commitments.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.34 | $194.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.06 | $232.52 |
| Median (P50) | $30.98 | $247.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.07 | $280.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.44 | $307.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheeling
Based on $30.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.98/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheeling, WV can expect to earn approximately $64,431 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,172. With a cost-of-living index of 88.32 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wheeling.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheeling
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,239.07 | $5,369 | $64,431 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $743.44 | $3,222 | $38,659 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $495.63 | $2,148 | $25,773 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Wheeling) | $30.98 |
| 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 Wheeling, WV earn a median of $64,431 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.32% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.20% above the West Virginia state average of $64,302.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.98/hr = $38,659/year (purchasing power: $43,770).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,431/year (purchasing power: $72,950).
CoL index: 88.323 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Wheeling grew 17.5% from $25.63/hr (2019) to $30.13/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.85/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 Wheeling 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 Wheeling
Analytically, the earning potential for a part-time occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week amounts to around $31,952 annually. This contrasts with full-time colleagues who can see earnings surpassing $64,000 per year. Per-diem arrangements can also provide a level of financial independence, with rates typically between $30 and $45 per hour. The growing demand for travel contracts has led to supplemental weekly pay between $1,100 and $1,700, depending on the contract specifics and location. Furthermore, pay rates can vary significantly across different employer types in Wheeling. Skilled nursing facilities may offer lower hourly rates than hospital rehab units, reflecting the reimbursement cuts post-2022, while school district contracts may provide additional benefits despite lower pay. Occupational therapy assistants should carefully assess these trade-offs when considering employment, as those prioritizing benefits over hourly pay might find a more secure position. For better negotiating power, approaching discussions with a clear understanding of the local pay scale and contract options is essential.
More salary data for Wheeling, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Wheeling in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Wheeling?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Wheeling paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Wheeling?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Wheeling?
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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 Wheeling. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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