Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Lincoln, NE: $31.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Lincoln, NE runs $31.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,955 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Lincoln's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,980 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Lincoln, NE, is projected at $31.23 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $35.74 per hour. For part-time professionals, such as those working three days a week, this rate translates to approximately $497 weekly before taxes—ideal for individuals seeking flexibility in their schedules. Entry-level positions in the field start around $24.01, while seasoned assistants can earn up to $38.47, reflecting the diverse opportunities within various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and schools. This hourly data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, provides critical insight into what professionals can expect when considering a career in occupational therapy assistance in Lincoln.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.01 | $192.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.69 | $205.54 |
| Median (P50) | $31.23 | $249.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.86 | $286.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.47 | $307.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lincoln
Based on $31.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.23/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lincoln, NE can expect to earn approximately $64,966 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,480. With a cost-of-living index of 91.58 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lincoln.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lincoln
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,249.35 | $5,414 | $64,966 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $749.61 | $3,248 | $38,980 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $499.74 | $2,166 | $25,986 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Lincoln) | $31.23 |
| 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 Lincoln, NE earn a median of $64,955 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.62% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.50% below the Nebraska state average of $68,016.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.23/hr = $38,980/year (purchasing power: $42,563).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,966/year (purchasing power: $70,938).
CoL index: 91.581 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Lincoln grew 17.5% from $25.85/hr (2019) to $30.38/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.11/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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln
Part-time occupational therapy assistants working 24 hours per week in Lincoln can expect annual earnings that differ significantly from their full-time counterparts, taking home around $25,884 compared to a full-time annualized income closer to $65,000. Many per diem agency COTAs operate on contract arrangements, typically billing anywhere from $30 to $45 per hour, especially in high-demand circumstances like travel positions, which can yield up to $1,700 per week. Work settings influence income potential; while skilled nursing facilities may offer lower rates due to reimbursement cuts from Medicare, outpatient clinics and home health agencies can present more lucrative opportunities. Those weighing the benefits of hourly pay must often consider health insurance and other perks provided by employers against the higher pay rates available in non-benefit packages. In negotiating hourly rates, being informed about the local market trends and reimbursement challenges is essential for securing an equitable wage.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Lincoln in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Lincoln?
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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 Lincoln. 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, 4-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