Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Omaha, NE: $32.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Omaha, NE runs $32.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,783 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Omaha's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.9, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,673 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Omaha, Nebraska, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $32.59. This figure is slightly below the national hourly median of $35.74, highlighting the specific market dynamics of the region. For part-time workers, typically clocking in around 24 hours a week, this rate translates to a yearly income that assists in offsetting living expenses, especially in common settings like skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics. The hourly pay range for this profession spans from $24.69 for entry-level positions to approximately $40.09 for those at the top of their game, providing ample opportunity for career advancement within the field, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.69 | $197.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.06 | $240.49 |
| Median (P50) | $32.59 | $260.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.89 | $295.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.09 | $320.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Omaha
Based on $32.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.59/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Omaha, NE can expect to earn approximately $67,789 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,109. With a cost-of-living index of 91.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Omaha.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Omaha
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,303.63 | $5,649 | $67,789 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $782.18 | $3,389 | $40,673 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $521.45 | $2,260 | $27,116 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Omaha) | $32.59 |
| 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 Omaha, NE earn a median of $67,783 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.81% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.30% below the Nebraska state average of $67,987.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.59/hr = $40,673/year (purchasing power: $44,253).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,789/year (purchasing power: $73,755).
CoL index: 91.911 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Omaha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Omaha grew 17.5% from $26.97/hr (2019) to $31.70/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.51/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 Omaha 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 Omaha
Evaluating the earning potential for part-time occupational therapy assistants, those working three days a week can expect a take-home income reflective of their hourly commitment, significantly impacting their financial stability compared to full-time counterparts. In the per-diem space, occupational therapy assistants typically command rates between $30 and $45 per hour, while travel contracts can yield up to $1,700 weekly. However, the landscape has shifted since the 15% Medicare cut implemented in 2022, which has reduced pay in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings. Earning potential varies significantly across employer types in Omaha, as opportunities in hospitals, school districts, and home health agencies might offer different compensation structures. Many occupational therapy assistants find themselves weighing the benefits of medical insurance against the allure of higher hourly wages without benefits. Those negotiating within this profession can enhance outcomes by emphasizing their experience and licensure. Such strategies—coupled with knowledge of local pay norms—can lead to favorable agreements that reflect their worth in the job market.
More salary data for Omaha, NE:
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 Omaha. 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