Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Buckeye, AZ: $34.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Buckeye, AZ runs $34.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,960 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Buckeye's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,175 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Buckeye, Arizona, the projected occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in 2026 is pegged at $34.60, which is slightly below the national median of $35.74. This hourly rate is relevant for both full-time and part-time work, particularly for those seeking positions in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health services. For per-diem occupational therapy assistants working in Buckeye, this translates into a flexible earning potential; those who work three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can expect to receive decent compensation while maintaining work-life balance. Entry-level positions start around $25.74 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $43.39 per hour, reflecting a broad spectrum of opportunities available in this field.
About the Buckeye Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.74 | $205.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.10 | $240.82 |
| Median (P50) | $34.60 | $276.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.97 | $295.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.39 | $347.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buckeye
Based on $34.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.60/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buckeye, AZ can expect to earn approximately $71,959 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,515. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Buckeye.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buckeye
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,383.82 | $5,997 | $71,959 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $830.29 | $3,598 | $43,175 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $553.53 | $2,399 | $28,784 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Buckeye) | $34.60 |
| 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 Buckeye, AZ earn a median of $71,960 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.19% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.70% below the Arizona state average of $73,204.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.60/hr = $43,175/year (purchasing power: $43,833).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,959/year (purchasing power: $73,055).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Buckeye (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Buckeye grew 17.5% from $28.63/hr (2019) to $33.65/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.57/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 Buckeye 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 Buckeye
Exploring the part-time earnings of a Buckeye occupational therapy assistant reveals significant differences compared to full-time roles. Those working three days a week can take home a substantial income, providing flexibility that may suit some lifestyles better than a traditional full-time schedule. In the per diem arena, rates typically range from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel COTA contracts yielding up to $1,700 per week. It's essential to consider the impact of employer type on hourly pay; skilled nursing facilities often offer lower rates due to reimbursement cuts from Medicare. Conversely, other sectors like outpatient clinics and home health agencies may present higher earnings at the cost of benefits. Many occupational therapy assistants face trade-offs between higher hourly rates with no health coverage and lower hourly wages that include essential benefits. For those working in Buckeye, successful negotiation skills can lead to better pay arrangements, allowing assistants to find a balance that meets both their financial and professional needs.
More salary data for Buckeye, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Buckeye in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Buckeye?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Buckeye paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Buckeye?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Buckeye?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arizona
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 Buckeye. 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 Buckeye 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 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