Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Laurel, MS: $39.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Laurel, MS runs $39.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,954 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Laurel's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,171 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapists in Laurel, Mississippi, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $39.40, which falls significantly below the national median of $49.71. This disparity in pay means that professionals working part-time, say three days a week, can anticipate earnings that may not fully meet the demands of living in Mississippi. In addition to traditional full-time roles in settings such as hospital rehab units and skilled nursing facilities, many therapists in Laurel may find themselves taking on per-diem positions. These roles provide flexibility but typically reflect an hourly rate range from $30.70 for entry-level therapists to about $48.41 for top earners in the region, allowing for numerous avenues of employment in schools, outpatient clinics, or through home health visits. This pay projection in Laurel demonstrates the varying opportunities available depending on setting and experience.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.70 | $245.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.66 | $269.28 |
| Median (P50) | $39.40 | $315.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.52 | $356.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.41 | $387.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Laurel
Based on $39.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.40/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Laurel, MS can expect to earn approximately $81,952 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,280. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Laurel.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Laurel
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,575.99 | $6,829 | $81,952 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $945.60 | $4,098 | $49,171 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $630.40 | $2,732 | $32,781 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Laurel) | $39.40 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist (National Avg) | $43.80 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapists in Laurel, MS earn a median of $81,954 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.74% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 7.50% below the Mississippi state average of $88,599.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.40/hr = $49,171/year (purchasing power: $57,376).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,952/year (purchasing power: $95,626).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Laurel grew 18.1% from $32.37/hr (2019) to $38.23/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.61/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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 3.06% 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 Therapist in Laurel
When considering the financial landscape for occupational therapists, part-time professionals usually working 24 hours a week can expect their annual earnings to differ markedly from their full-time counterparts. For those embracing a per-diem or agency dynamic, it’s common to see hourly billing in the range of $50-$75, especially for specialized roles such as a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), who may command up to $110 per hour in private pay environments. In Laurel, hourly rates may fluctuate greatly depending on the type of employer; skilled nursing facilities might offer lower rates compared to higher-paying positions at outpatient clinics or schools. Some therapists might opt for lower hourly wages to access benefits like health insurance, sacrificing potential income in exchange for job security. Negotiating terms effectively, especially in this evolving market, can lead to opportunities that balance desirable hours with competitive compensation, making it vital for therapists to understand these dynamics as they consider their career paths in Laurel.
More salary data for Laurel, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Laurel in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Laurel?
Are occupational therapists in Laurel paid hourly or salary?
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Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.
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 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapists in Laurel. 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 Laurel 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 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov