Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Louisville, KY: $34.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Louisville, KY runs $34.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,368 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Louisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,419 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Louisville, KY, earn a median hourly rate of $34.79, which is slightly below the national median of $35.74. This rate offers a substantial income for those working part-time, such as in typical settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, outpatient clinics, and home health situations. For part-time employees working three days a week, or about 24 hours, this translates into a respectable weekly pay, allowing flexibility to manage work-life balance. The hourly pay for entry-level occupational therapy assistants starts at $22.86, while more experienced professionals can reach up to $44.62 per hour, illustrating a wide pay scale that reflects experience and the specific demands of various settings.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.86 | $182.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.19 | $225.52 |
| Median (P50) | $34.79 | $278.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.84 | $310.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.62 | $356.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville
Based on $34.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.79/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville, KY can expect to earn approximately $72,365 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,749. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,391.64 | $6,030 | $72,365 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $834.98 | $3,618 | $43,419 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $556.65 | $2,412 | $28,946 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Louisville) | $34.79 |
| 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 Louisville, KY earn a median of $72,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.64% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $66,393.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.79/hr = $43,419/year (purchasing power: $48,622).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,365/year (purchasing power: $81,036).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Louisville grew 17.5% from $28.79/hr (2019) to $33.84/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.77/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 Louisville 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 Louisville
Focusing on the financial realities of part-time work, an occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $43,269 annually compared to those in full-time positions, which significantly enhances earning potential. Per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Louisville typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts fetching weekly pay between $1,100 and $1,700. However, recent reimbursement cuts have affected premium pay in some skilled nursing facilities. Hourly rates can differ notably among employer types, with public schools, outpatient clinics, and early intervention programs often presenting lower pay while offering benefits like health insurance. Those who opt for hourly wages without benefits might negotiate higher rates, yet the trade-off between cash and stability must be carefully considered. Understanding these dynamics can help aspiring COTAs navigate their choices effectively in the Louisville market and is particularly relevant for those considering COTA-to-MOT pathways.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Louisville in 2026?
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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 Louisville. 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 Louisville 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