Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Fullerton, CA: $42.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Fullerton, CA runs $42.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,136 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Fullerton's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,478 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fullerton, California, the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants is projected to be $42.85 in 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $35.74. This robust hourly pay provides a solid foundation for both part-time and per-diem COTAs who typically work in various settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and during home health visits. For instance, entry-level occupational therapy assistants in Fullerton, earning at the tenth percentile, can expect about $29.37 per hour, while experienced professionals at the ninetieth percentile may command up to $54.16 per hour. Such figures highlight the potential for strong compensation relative to many other fields, making this profession an attractive option for prospective COTAs in CA.
About the Fullerton 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) | $29.37 | $234.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.61 | $284.91 |
| Median (P50) | $42.85 | $342.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.51 | $380.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.16 | $433.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fullerton
Based on $42.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.85/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fullerton, CA can expect to earn approximately $89,131 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,421. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fullerton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fullerton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,714.05 | $7,428 | $89,131 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,028.43 | $4,457 | $53,478 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $685.62 | $2,971 | $35,652 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Fullerton) | $42.85 |
| 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 Fullerton, CA earn a median of $89,136 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.92% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.70% above the California state average of $86,793.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.85/hr = $53,478/year (purchasing power: $47,284).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,131/year (purchasing power: $78,807).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fullerton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Fullerton grew 17.5% from $35.46/hr (2019) to $41.68/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.06/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 Fullerton 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 Fullerton
Examining the earning potential for part-time occupational therapy assistants, those working three days a week are poised to take home substantial annual earnings, although they may fall short compared to full-timers. Per-diem opportunities present unique financial realities; while some per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Fullerton can range from $30 to $45 per hour, travel COTA contracts may yield weekly compensation from $1,100 to $1,700. Different employers in Fullerton, including skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics, often present varying pay scales, influenced by factors like benefits and job responsibilities. For some, a lower hourly pay might be offset by comprehensive health insurance options. As such, when negotiating hourly rates, it's advisable to consider not only the base pay but also the broader impact of benefits, especially in a region where the cost of living is above average, with a cost of living index of 113.1.
More salary data for Fullerton, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Fullerton in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Fullerton?
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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 Fullerton. 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 Fullerton 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