Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Thousand Oaks, CA: $40.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Thousand Oaks, CA runs $40.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,025 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Thousand Oaks's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,412 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Thousand Oaks, California, is projected to be $40.39, significantly above the national median of $35.74. This elevated hourly rate positions part-time occupational therapy assistants, often working three days a week in various therapeutic settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits, to earn more competitive wages. Hourly earnings for these professionals range from approximately $29.68 at the entry-level to $51.93 for the highest earners, reflecting their experience and the specific demands of their roles. These estimates, derived from annual salary data, indicate a healthy earning potential for both full-time and per-diem workers in this essential field.
About the Thousand Oaks 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) | $29.68 | $237.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.96 | $279.64 |
| Median (P50) | $40.39 | $323.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.31 | $362.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.93 | $415.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Thousand Oaks
Based on $40.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.39/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Thousand Oaks, CA can expect to earn approximately $84,020 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,473. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Thousand Oaks.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Thousand Oaks
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,615.76 | $7,002 | $84,020 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $969.46 | $4,201 | $50,412 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $646.30 | $2,801 | $33,608 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Thousand Oaks) | $40.39 |
| 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 Thousand Oaks, CA earn a median of $84,025 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.04% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.20% below the California state average of $86,802.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.39/hr = $50,412/year (purchasing power: $44,573).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,020/year (purchasing power: $74,288).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Thousand Oaks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Thousand Oaks grew 17.5% from $33.43/hr (2019) to $39.29/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.53/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 Thousand Oaks 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 Thousand Oaks
On a part-time basis, a COTA working 24 hours a week will take home a noticeably lower annual income compared to their full-time counterparts, which can have implications for overall job satisfaction and financial stability. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Thousand Oaks tends to range widely, often billing at rates of $30 to $45 per hour, while travel contracts can command weekly salaries between $1,100 and $1,700. However, pay in skilled nursing facilities has come under pressure, particularly following the 15% Medicare cut in 2022, which altered reimbursement structures and led to declines in premium pay for agency COTAs. Variation in hourly rates across employer types—such as outpatient clinics, early intervention programs, and school contracts—can also influence overall compensation. Many COTAs must weigh the benefits of more lucrative but less secure per diem work against full-time positions that offer health insurance and other employee benefits. Practical negotiation strategies become critical in these discussions, particularly with local employers in Thousand Oaks, where understanding the competitive landscape can help COTAs maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Thousand Oaks, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Thousand Oaks in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Thousand Oaks?
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Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Thousand Oaks?
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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 Thousand Oaks. 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 Thousand Oaks 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