Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Daly City, CA: $42.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Daly City, CA runs $42.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,059 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Daly City's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,440 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Daly City, California, earn a median hourly rate of $42.82, which is considerably higher than the national median hourly rate of $35.74. This competitive wage reflects the demand for skilled professionals in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, outpatient clinics, and schools. For those considering part-time positions—let’s say working three days a week—this hourly rate translates to a substantial income, making it an appealing option for many. Per-diem workers operating in Daly City find themselves within a range from $29.28 to $52.44 per hour, indicating substantial opportunities for both entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants. These estimates are derived from annual salary data and emphasize a healthy wage structure in the region.
About the Daly City 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) | $29.28 | $234.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.53 | $284.25 |
| Median (P50) | $42.82 | $342.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.48 | $371.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.44 | $419.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Daly City
Based on $42.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.82/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Daly City, CA can expect to earn approximately $89,066 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,384. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Daly City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Daly City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,712.81 | $7,422 | $89,066 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,027.69 | $4,453 | $53,440 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $685.13 | $2,969 | $35,627 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Daly City) | $42.82 |
| 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 Daly City, CA earn a median of $89,059 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.81% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.60% above the California state average of $86,802.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.82/hr = $53,440/year (purchasing power: $47,250).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,066/year (purchasing power: $78,750).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Daly City grew 17.5% from $35.43/hr (2019) to $41.65/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.02/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 Daly City 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 Daly City
When evaluating annual earnings, a part-time occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week might take home approximately $53,496, contrasting starkly with a full-time counterpart. Hourly work arrangements vary, particularly in per-diem roles, where compensation typically ranges from $30 to $45 an hour. Travel contracts for COTAs can yield between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly, although recent Medicare cuts have adjusted the premium pay for agency and skilled nursing facility roles. Additionally, employers such as school districts may offer lower hourly rates but can include benefits like health insurance—an attractive option for those looking for long-term stability over higher hourly pay. COTAs in Daly City should consider the implications of each compensation structure carefully, especially when embarking on negotiations; advocating for additional benefits or flexibility might enable them to secure favorable terms in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Daly City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Daly City in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Daly City?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Daly City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Daly City?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Daly City?
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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 Daly City. 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 Daly City 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