Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Burlington, IA: $31.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Burlington, IA runs $31.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,520 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,710 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Burlington, IA, can expect a median hourly pay of $31.02, a figure that reflects a slight gap when compared to the national median of $35.74. This hourly rate is crucial for those working part-time, potentially on a three-day workweek, enabling them to balance a fulfilling career while also accommodating their personal schedules. Per-diem workers may find themselves earning anywhere from $30 to $45 an hour, depending on the settings, which include skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and schools. An entry-level occupational therapy assistant can anticipate starting at approximately $23.30 per hour, while top earners could reach around $36.38 per hour, demonstrating a robust earning potential within the field, even in a local context that reflects broader national trends.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.30 | $186.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.02 | $216.15 |
| Median (P50) | $31.02 | $248.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.18 | $265.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.38 | $291.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $31.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.02/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, IA can expect to earn approximately $64,517 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,221. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,240.71 | $5,376 | $64,517 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $744.43 | $3,226 | $38,710 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $496.28 | $2,151 | $25,807 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Burlington) | $31.02 |
| 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 Burlington, IA earn a median of $64,520 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.20% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $67,209.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.02/hr = $38,710/year (purchasing power: $42,821).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,517/year (purchasing power: $71,368).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Burlington grew 17.5% from $25.67/hr (2019) to $30.17/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.89/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
For occupational therapy assistants considering part-time roles, working an average of 24 hours a week can yield an annual income of around $38,657, noticeably lower than a full-time position, which would significantly enhance earning potential. The trend towards per diem and agency positions remains prevalent, especially post-2022, when reimbursement cuts affected pay structures in skilled nursing facilities. While agency rates can vary widely—typically between $30 to $45 an hour—travel COTA contracts may offer weekly compensations from $1,100 to $1,700. Additionally, hourly wages can differ based on employer type, with outpatient clinics and home health agencies often providing competitive rates. Stability in benefits is a consideration; some professionals may opt for positions with lower hourly rates that come with health insurance, while others may chase higher pay without benefits to maximize their earnings. Effective negotiation strategies relevant to the Burlington area can also help optimize compensation, ensuring occupational therapy assistants are appropriately valued for their expertise and contributions.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Burlington in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Burlington?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Burlington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Burlington?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Burlington?
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Career Resources
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 Burlington. 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 Burlington 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