Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in San Diego, CA: $40.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in San Diego, CA runs $40.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,003 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against San Diego's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.9, 12% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,002 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in San Diego, CA, is projected at $40.87 in 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $35.74. This robust hourly rate allows for favorable earning potential, even for part-time or per-diem workers. For those working three days a week, typically around 24 hours, the potential income scales effectively according to the flexibility of scheduling in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics. Entry-level COTAs earn at the lower end of the spectrum, around $35.10, while the most experienced professionals can reach as high as $51.12 per hour, allowing for a diverse range of opportunities and compensation structures within the field.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.10 | $280.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.04 | $304.32 |
| Median (P50) | $40.87 | $326.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.37 | $370.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.12 | $408.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Diego
Based on $40.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.87/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Diego, CA can expect to earn approximately $85,003 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,040. With a cost-of-living index of 111.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Diego.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Diego
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,634.68 | $7,084 | $85,003 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $980.81 | $4,250 | $51,002 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $653.87 | $2,833 | $34,001 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (San Diego) | $40.87 |
| 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 San Diego, CA earn a median of $85,003 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.36% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.00% below the California state average of $86,738.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.87/hr = $51,002/year (purchasing power: $45,583).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,003/year (purchasing power: $75,972).
CoL index: 111.887 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in San Diego grew 22.6% from $32.43/hr (2019) to $39.75/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.02/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 San Diego 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 San Diego
The dynamics of part-time earnings for occupational therapy assistants in San Diego can be quite compelling. A COTA working three days a week might take home approximately $57,057 annually, while a full-time worker can aim for a higher profile due to more consistent hours. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in San Diego typically ranges between $30 to $45 an hour, with travel COTA contracts averaging anywhere from $1,100 to $1,700 weekly, though some may find higher earnings in specialized settings like home health. It is essential to consider how hourly rates vary across employment types; while skilled nursing facilities might offer lower pay due to reimbursement cuts post-2022, school districts frequently provide steady hours with benefits. COTAs may have to weigh the trade-off between lower hourly wages with health insurance versus higher pay in agency roles without benefits. For those negotiating rates, understanding market comparisons and demonstrating value can lead to better compensation packages tailored to individual needs and employer capabilities.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in San Diego in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in San Diego?
Are occupational therapy assistants in San Diego paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in San Diego?
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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 San Diego. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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