Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Gulfport, MS: $30.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Gulfport, MS runs $30.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,837 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Gulfport's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.0, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,709 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gulfport, Mississippi, the projected median hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant is $30.22, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $35.74. This local rate reflects the economic dynamics and cost of living in the area, which sits below the national average. For part-time workers, such as those engaged in three-day workweeks, this hourly rate leads to a comfortable yet modest compensation, particularly in environments like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics. Entry-level occupational therapy assistants can expect around $23.25 per hour, while top earners in the field can command rates up to $41.12 per hour, according to the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, which provides an essential snapshot of the earning potential within this profession.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.25 | $185.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.69 | $229.55 |
| Median (P50) | $30.22 | $241.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.34 | $298.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.12 | $328.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gulfport
Based on $30.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.22/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gulfport, MS can expect to earn approximately $62,849 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,259. With a cost-of-living index of 90.01 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gulfport.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gulfport
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,208.63 | $5,237 | $62,849 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $725.18 | $3,142 | $37,709 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $483.45 | $2,095 | $25,140 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Gulfport) | $30.22 |
| 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 Gulfport, MS earn a median of $62,837 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.46% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.40% below the Mississippi state average of $63,730.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.22/hr = $37,709/year (purchasing power: $41,897).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,849/year (purchasing power: $69,828).
CoL index: 90.006 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Gulfport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Gulfport grew 17.5% from $25.00/hr (2019) to $29.39/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.06/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 Gulfport 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 Gulfport
Exploring part-time earning scenarios, a COTA working 24 hours a week in Gulfport can anticipate an annual take-home much lower than their full-time counterparts. The flexibility afforded by per diem or agency roles provides another layer of opportunity, with per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Gulfport typically ranging from $30 to $45 per hour, whereas travel COTA contracts can yield weekly earnings between $1,100 to $1,700. Employer types significantly influence hourly rates, with skilled nursing facilities and hospital-based positions often presenting lower compensation than outpatient clinics or school contracts. Furthermore, the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut has pressed down pay scales in specific sectors. COTAs weigh the trade-offs of higher pay against essential benefits, which may lead some to accept lower rates that come with health insurance. When negotiating hourly pay, it’s beneficial to emphasize your skills and evidence-based practice, especially in a competitive market like Gulfport, MS.
More salary data for Gulfport, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Gulfport. 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