Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Pittsburg, CA: $41.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Pittsburg, CA runs $41.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,248 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Pittsburg'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
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Pittsburg, CA, earn a median hourly pay of $41.95, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $35.74. This elevated pay can provide substantial benefits for part-time employees working three days a week or pursuing per-diem opportunities in various healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and outpatient clinics. Those entering the field can expect to start around $29.23 per hour, with top performers reaching up to $51.86 per hour. This hourly rate is derived from projected annual salaries, allowing for flexibility that appeals to those who want to balance work and other commitments while also considering different work environments.
About the Pittsburg 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) | $29.23 | $233.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.13 | $281.04 |
| Median (P50) | $41.95 | $335.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.98 | $367.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.86 | $414.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pittsburg
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 Pittsburg, 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 Pittsburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pittsburg
| 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 (Pittsburg) | $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 Pittsburg, CA earn a median of $87,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.38% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.50% above the California state average of $86,814.
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 Pittsburg (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 Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg
Evaluating part-time earning potential shows that a 24-hour workweek for an occupational therapy assistant leads to an annual income of approximately $52,156, contrasting sharply with full-time earnings. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Pittsburg generally ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts often bringing in between $1,100 and $1,700 per week. Certain employer types offering lower hourly rates, such as school districts or early intervention programs, may provide robust health benefits, which some COTAs find preferable. As competition in the field continues, negotiating hourly rates based on specific employer benefits can be essential. Knowledge of the impacts from the 15% Medicare cut in 2022 on reimbursement rates might inform salary discussions, as can awareness of temp and agency opportunities that vary widely across different settings in Pittsburg.
More salary data for Pittsburg, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Pittsburg in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Pittsburg?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Pittsburg paid hourly or salary?
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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 Pittsburg. 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 Pittsburg 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