Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Alhambra, CA: $41.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Alhambra, CA runs $41.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,502 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Alhambra's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,297 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Alhambra, California, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected to be $41.10 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $35.74. This rate offers a solid income for professionals working part-time or per-diem, providing flexibility in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. With an hourly range starting from $30.76 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $51.75 for top earners in the field, COTAs in Alhambra can find opportunities tailored to varying experience levels and employment arrangements. These hourly figures are estimated based on annual salary data, reflecting the potential earnings for those who choose to work in a variety of capacities within their profession.
About the Alhambra Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.76 | $246.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.89 | $287.13 |
| Median (P50) | $41.10 | $328.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.05 | $352.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.75 | $414.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Alhambra
Based on $41.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.10/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Alhambra, CA can expect to earn approximately $85,495 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,324. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Alhambra.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Alhambra
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,644.14 | $7,125 | $85,495 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $986.48 | $4,275 | $51,297 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $657.66 | $2,850 | $34,198 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Alhambra) | $41.10 |
| 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 Alhambra, CA earn a median of $85,502 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.03% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.50% below the California state average of $86,804.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.10/hr = $51,297/year (purchasing power: $45,356).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,495/year (purchasing power: $75,593).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Alhambra (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Alhambra grew 17.5% from $34.01/hr (2019) to $39.98/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.26/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 Alhambra 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 Alhambra
Exploring the financial landscape for part-time occupational therapy assistants reveals interesting dynamics. A typical three-day workweek, amounting to 24 hours, could yield an annual take-home that varies widely from a full-time salary. Per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Alhambra typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts bringing in weekly earnings of $1,100 to $1,700. However, many COTAs find that working in skilled nursing facilities or hospitals may offer more stable pay with associated benefits, albeit at potentially lower hourly rates. As a result, professionals must weigh the trade-offs of higher hourly wages against the stability and benefits that come with certain employers. Understanding negotiation strategies is crucial for hourly workers in Alhambra; emphasizing skills and credentials can lead to better offers, especially in a diverse market that includes outpatient clinics and early intervention programs.
More salary data for Alhambra, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Alhambra in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Alhambra?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Alhambra paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Alhambra?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Alhambra?
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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 Alhambra. 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 Alhambra 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