Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Louisville, KY: $51.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Louisville, KY runs $51.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $107,467 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Louisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $57.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,477 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, Kentucky, the median hourly pay for occupational therapists is estimated at $51.66, surpassing the national median of $49.71. This competitive rate gives part-time professionals, working around three days a week, a solid earning potential, allowing them to take home a respectable income even with reduced hours. Per-diem occupational therapists can benefit from flexible work arrangements in various settings such as hospital rehab units and skilled nursing facilities, where their hourly wages can vary widely. Entry-level therapists in Louisville may earn around $34.07, while top earners can make as much as $70.25 per hour, reflecting the growing demand for specialized services in this field.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.07 | $272.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.29 | $322.29 |
| Median (P50) | $51.66 | $413.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.27 | $490.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70.25 | $561.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville
Based on $51.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.66/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville, KY can expect to earn approximately $107,461 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,997. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,066.56 | $8,955 | $107,461 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,239.94 | $5,373 | $64,477 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $826.62 | $3,582 | $42,984 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Louisville) | $51.66 |
| 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 Louisville, KY earn a median of $107,467 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.93% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $98,593.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.66/hr = $64,477/year (purchasing power: $72,202).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $107,461/year (purchasing power: $120,337).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Louisville grew 18.1% from $42.45/hr (2019) to $50.13/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.24/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 Louisville 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 Louisville
Focusing on part-time opportunities, an occupational therapist working 24 hours a week could generate approximately $40,000 annually, contrasting sharply with full-time colleagues who may earn around $107,467. Per diem occupational therapist pay in Louisville typically ranges from $50 to $75 per hour, while certified hand therapists can command rates between $80 and $110, especially in cash-pay practices. Travel contracts often attract therapists with rates of $1,800 to $2,800 weekly, underscoring the variance in compensation depending on the employment setting. Hourly rates may differ significantly across employer types, with those in skilled nursing facilities or school districts usually on the lower end, while outpatient clinics and mental health facilities may offer higher rates. For many therapists, the decision might revolve around the trade-off of lower hourly wages for benefits such as health insurance, making negotiation skills vital in securing the best options in the Louisville market.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Louisville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Louisville?
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Career Resources
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 Louisville. 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 Louisville 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