Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Lincoln, NE: $47.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Lincoln, NE runs $47.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,267 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Lincoln's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,563 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lincoln, Nebraska, occupational therapists earn a median hourly rate of $47.73, slightly below the national median of $49.71. This pay structure offers substantial opportunities for part-time and per-diem work, as many therapists find positions in diverse settings such as hospital rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, schools, and home health visits. For those considering a part-time schedule, working three days a week typically means earning approximately $27,000 annually, while experienced therapists, particularly those at the upper end of the scale, can command rates around $65.64 per hour. This official BLS data from 2025, projected to 2026, illustrates that the field remains competitive with a pay range that spans from $33.43 for entry-level positions to $65.64 for seasoned professionals in Lincoln.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.43 | $267.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.60 | $308.77 |
| Median (P50) | $47.73 | $381.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.09 | $416.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.64 | $525.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lincoln
Based on $47.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.73/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lincoln, NE can expect to earn approximately $99,272 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,273. 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) | $1,909.08 | $8,273 | $99,272 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,145.45 | $4,964 | $59,563 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $763.63 | $3,309 | $39,709 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Lincoln) | $47.73 |
| 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 Lincoln, NE earn a median of $99,267 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.00% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 4.90% above the Nebraska state average of $94,630.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.73/hr = $59,563/year (purchasing power: $65,039).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,272/year (purchasing power: $108,398).
CoL index: 91.581 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Lincoln grew 20.7% from $38.38/hr (2019) to $46.31/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.19/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 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 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 Lincoln
The potential for part-time earning affects many occupational therapists, especially those balancing work with continuing education or family commitments. For a part-time therapist working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home is considerably less than full-timers, who can expect to earn significantly more in the same role. However, per diem occupational therapist pay in Lincoln can vary widely; it is common for OTs in agency roles to charge anywhere from $50 to $75 per hour, with certified hand therapists reaching even higher rates of $80 to $110 in cash-pay practices. Furthermore, travel contracts can promise lucrative weekly pay ranging from $1,800 to $2,800. Different employer types also influence hourly rates, with hospital inpatient rehab and skilled nursing facilities generally offering lower pay compared to specialized outpatient clinics. Therapists often face a trade-off between higher hourly wages and the stability of benefits. Negotiating these elements effectively can be crucial; understanding the local market and leveraging one's qualifications, such as an advanced CHT certification, can help improve pay outcomes in this evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Lincoln in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Lincoln?
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Do occupational therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Lincoln?
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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 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, 7-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 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