Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Bellevue, NE: $31.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Bellevue, NE runs $31.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,860 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Bellevue's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,519 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellevue, Nebraska, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stands at $31.67, notably lower than the national median of $35.74. This difference suggests potential earning challenges for local professionals, particularly those considering part-time roles or per-diem positions, which are prevalent in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, and home health visits. The hourly range for occupational therapy assistants in Bellevue varies from $22.69 at the entry-level to $39.93 for top earners, making it crucial for candidates to understand the financial landscape as they embark on or progress in their careers. These hourly figures are derived from annual salary projections, reflecting the diverse employment options and associated pay scales within the region.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.69 | $181.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.00 | $215.98 |
| Median (P50) | $31.67 | $253.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.18 | $281.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.93 | $319.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellevue
Based on $31.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.67/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellevue, NE can expect to earn approximately $65,864 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,999. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bellevue.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellevue
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,266.62 | $5,489 | $65,864 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $759.97 | $3,293 | $39,519 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $506.65 | $2,195 | $26,346 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Bellevue) | $31.67 |
| 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 Bellevue, NE earn a median of $65,860 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.40% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.20% below the Nebraska state average of $68,037.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.67/hr = $39,519/year (purchasing power: $43,190).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,864/year (purchasing power: $71,983).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Bellevue grew 17.5% from $26.20/hr (2019) to $30.80/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.56/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 Bellevue 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 Bellevue
For a part-time occupational therapy assistant working three days a week, the annual income can vary significantly compared to full-time employment. Assuming a 24-hour workweek, a COTA might net around $39,500 annually, which is substantially different from the earnings of full-time practitioners. Per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Bellevue typically falls between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contracts offering even higher compensation, ranging from $1,100 to $1,700 a week. The hourly rates generally reflect the setting—positions in skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehab may provide lower pay due to budget constraints from the 15% Medicare cut implemented in 2022. Nonetheless, professionals sometimes opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance. Negotiating pay effectively involves knowing the local market, understanding the value of specialized skills, and considering the trade-offs associated with benefits versus hourly rates.
More salary data for Bellevue, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Bellevue in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Bellevue?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Bellevue paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Bellevue?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Bellevue?
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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 Bellevue. 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 Bellevue 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