Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Davis, CA: $40.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Davis, CA runs $40.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,976 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Davis's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,386 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Davis, California, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected to be $40.37 in 2026, which exceeds the national hourly median of $35.74 by nearly 13%. This rate presents favorable opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers across diverse settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. For those working a typical three-day week, they can expect to earn anywhere from $29.02 to $49.28 per hour depending on experience and employer type, translating to a wide range of financial possibilities for entry-level and seasoned professionals alike. These hourly figures are derived from annual salary estimates and reflect the competitive job market for occupational therapy assistants in the area.
About the Davis 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) | $29.02 | $232.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.39 | $275.12 |
| Median (P50) | $40.37 | $322.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.85 | $358.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.28 | $394.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Davis
Based on $40.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.37/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Davis, CA can expect to earn approximately $83,977 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,448. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Davis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Davis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,614.94 | $6,998 | $83,977 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $968.96 | $4,199 | $50,386 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $645.98 | $2,799 | $33,591 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Davis) | $40.37 |
| 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 Davis, CA earn a median of $83,976 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.97% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.20% below the California state average of $86,752.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.37/hr = $50,386/year (purchasing power: $44,550).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,977/year (purchasing power: $74,250).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Davis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Davis grew 17.5% from $33.41/hr (2019) to $39.27/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.51/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 Davis 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 Davis
Evaluating the income potential for a part-time occupational therapy assistant in Davis, working 24 hours a week can lead to annual earnings significantly lower than a full-time counterpart, making nuanced budgeting essential for sustainability. Furthermore, per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Davis typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, and contract roles may yield weekly pay between $1,100 and $1,700, influenced by regional demand. Variation in hourly rates also emerges from employer type, wherein skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and outpatient clinics each offer different compensation structures – often influenced by the reimbursement challenges following the 15% Medicare cut. While some COTAs may opt for less desirable hourly pay in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, others are willing to accept higher pay for the flexibility that comes with per diem or agency roles. For negotiating pay effectively, being primed with knowledge of these dynamics and local salary averages can equip occupational therapy assistants with tools to secure a compensation package that aligns with their professional goals and financial needs.
More salary data for Davis, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Davis in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Davis?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Davis paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Davis?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Davis?
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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 Davis. 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 Davis 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