Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Lake Charles, LA: $41.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Lake Charles, LA runs $41.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,406 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Lake Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,846 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lake Charles, Louisiana, the occupational therapist hourly pay is projected to be $41.54 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $49.71. For part-time occupational therapists, working three days a week can yield a manageable income, allowing them to balance personal commitments while still earning a decent wage. In this region, entry-level practitioners can expect to earn around $22.23 per hour, whereas those at the top of the pay scale can make up to $63.62. These figures are essential for occupational therapists operating in various settings, such as hospital rehabilitation units, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits, where both part-time and per-diem work opportunities often arise. This data reflects official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) findings, offering a reliable insight into the financial landscape for aspiring and current professionals in this field.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.23 | $177.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.67 | $237.37 |
| Median (P50) | $41.54 | $332.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.43 | $475.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.62 | $508.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Charles
Based on $41.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.54/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Charles, LA can expect to earn approximately $86,410 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,852. With a cost-of-living index of 85.85 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lake Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Charles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,661.74 | $7,201 | $86,410 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $997.04 | $4,321 | $51,846 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $664.70 | $2,880 | $34,564 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Lake Charles) | $41.54 |
| 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 Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $86,406 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.44% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 8.70% below the Louisiana state average of $94,639.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.54/hr = $51,846/year (purchasing power: $60,390).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,410/year (purchasing power: $100,650).
CoL index: 85.852 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Lake Charles grew 32.1% from $30.52/hr (2019) to $40.31/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.81/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 Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles
For a part-time occupational therapist in Lake Charles, working 24 hours a week translates to an annual income of approximately $51,157, significantly less than their full-time counterparts, who enjoy more earning stability. In the per-diem world, occupational therapists can charge rates ranging from $50 to $75 per hour, while specialized credentialed hand therapists might see their hourly pay climb to between $80 and $110. Those considering travel OT positions can often garner weekly contracts ranging from $1,800 to $2,800, offering another route for increased compensation. However, the type of employer can greatly influence pay; positions in skilled nursing facilities or school districts might not offer the same hourly rates as outpatient clinics or private practices. Many occupational therapists weigh their hourly pay against benefits like health insurance; some may choose lower hourly compensation for more extensive benefits. Negotiating effectively in Lake Charles requires an understanding of what local employers offer and being prepared to advocate for fair compensation in this diverse and evolving market.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Lake Charles in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Lake Charles?
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How much does a full-time occupational therapist make per year in Lake Charles?
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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 Lake Charles. 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