Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Carlsbad, CA: $40.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Carlsbad, CA runs $40.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,293 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Carlsbad's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,579 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Carlsbad, California, command a median hourly pay of $40.53, which places them above the national median of $35.74. This wage not only reflects the growing demand for therapy services but also provides significant earning potential for part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, or per-diem professionals who may work in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics. With hourly rates ranging from $29.33 for entry-level positions to $51.74 for the top earners, the opportunities in Carlsbad offer a competitive salary structure that accommodates those seeking flexible work arrangements. These hourly estimates are derived from annual salary data, underscoring the importance of understanding compensation in terms of hours worked, especially for those considering a career as an occupational therapy assistant.
About the Carlsbad 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) | $29.33 | $234.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.98 | $271.83 |
| Median (P50) | $40.53 | $324.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.24 | $361.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.74 | $413.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carlsbad
Based on $40.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.53/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carlsbad, CA can expect to earn approximately $84,298 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,633. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Carlsbad.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carlsbad
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,621.11 | $7,025 | $84,298 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $972.66 | $4,215 | $50,579 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $648.44 | $2,810 | $33,719 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Carlsbad) | $40.53 |
| 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 Carlsbad, CA earn a median of $84,293 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.40% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.90% below the California state average of $86,810.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.53/hr = $50,579/year (purchasing power: $44,720).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,298/year (purchasing power: $74,534).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Carlsbad (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Carlsbad grew 17.5% from $33.54/hr (2019) to $39.42/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.67/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 Carlsbad 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 Carlsbad
For those contemplating the part-time route, an occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week could expect to take home a substantial annual income, albeit less than a full-time colleague. Per-diem COTA roles yield varied pay rates, generally between $30 and $45 an hour, with travel contracts averaging $1,100 to $1,700 weekly. However, following the 15% Medicare Part B cut for OTA-provided services, premium pay in skilled nursing facilities has decreased, reshaping the earning landscape. Hourly compensation can vary greatly across different employer types in Carlsbad, impacting job satisfaction and benefits. While some COTAs may accept lower hourly rates for the added perk of health insurance, others may prefer higher pay without benefits, a choice that requires careful consideration. As a best practice, hourly workers should actively negotiate their pay and benefits, keeping local economic factors in mind to secure a balance that meets their personal and professional needs.
More salary data for Carlsbad, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Carlsbad in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Carlsbad?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Carlsbad paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Carlsbad?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Carlsbad?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Carlsbad. 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 Carlsbad 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