Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Mountain View, CA: $41.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Mountain View, CA runs $41.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,255 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Mountain View's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,349 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Mountain View, California, earn a median hourly pay of $41.95, which is notably higher than the national median of $35.74. This competitive hourly rate makes positions in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics attractive, particularly for part-time or per-diem workers who may only operate three days a week. Part-time COTAs can expect to earn a range from $29.40 to $50.34 based on experience and the specific demands of their roles. For those in entry-level positions, the opportunity to work per diem offers flexibility as they can adjust their schedules, which can be particularly beneficial in the context of the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
About the Mountain View 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) | $29.40 | $235.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.14 | $281.12 |
| Median (P50) | $41.95 | $335.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.06 | $360.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.34 | $402.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mountain View
Based on $41.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.95/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mountain View, CA can expect to earn approximately $87,249 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,336. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Mountain View.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mountain View
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,677.86 | $7,271 | $87,249 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,006.72 | $4,362 | $52,349 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $671.14 | $2,908 | $34,899 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Mountain View) | $41.95 |
| 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 Mountain View, CA earn a median of $87,255 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.39% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.60% above the California state average of $86,734.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.95/hr = $52,349/year (purchasing power: $46,286).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,249/year (purchasing power: $77,143).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Mountain View (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Mountain View grew 17.5% from $34.71/hr (2019) to $40.80/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.13/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 Mountain View 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 Mountain View
Analyzing the earning potential for a part-time occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours weekly reveals a significant income gap compared to full-time positions. Specifically, those working per diem or agency roles in Mountain View can earn between $30 and $45 per hour, with premium pay opportunities appearing in travel contracts that offer $1,100 to $1,700 weekly. However, the reductions in reimbursement for services following the 15% Medicare cut have made some skilled nursing facility roles less lucrative than before. Furthermore, hourly rates vary significantly across different employer types; COTAs might find that hospital inpatient rehabs pay differently from school districts or home health agencies. For many, the trade-off between higher hourly rates and the stability of benefits like health insurance plays a crucial role in job selection. Negotiating contracts carefully and understanding what each employer offers can greatly influence earnings for this profession in Mountain View, CA.
More salary data for Mountain View, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Mountain View in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Mountain View?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Mountain View paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Mountain View?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Mountain View?
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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 Mountain View. 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 Mountain View 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