Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Centennial, CO: $38.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Centennial, CO runs $38.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,868 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Centennial's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,923 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Centennial, Colorado, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $38.40, which exceeds the national median hourly rate of $35.74. This figure reflects not only the pay typical for full-time positions but also offers insights for part-time and per-diem workers. For example, a part-time occupational therapy assistant working three days a week may take home a solid income while gaining experience across various therapeutic settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. The hourly range for this profession in Centennial stretches from approximately $25.99 for entry-level positions to around $50.40 for top earners, illustrating the competitive nature of this field, especially in a growing market where occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Centennial remains attractive.
About the Centennial Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.99 | $207.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.55 | $252.42 |
| Median (P50) | $38.40 | $307.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.35 | $330.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.40 | $403.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Centennial
Based on $38.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.40/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Centennial, CO can expect to earn approximately $79,871 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,079. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Centennial.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Centennial
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,535.98 | $6,656 | $79,871 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $921.59 | $3,994 | $47,923 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $614.39 | $2,662 | $31,948 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Centennial) | $38.40 |
| 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 Centennial, CO earn a median of $79,868 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.45% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 4.00% above the Colorado state average of $76,796.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.40/hr = $47,923/year (purchasing power: $45,641).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,871/year (purchasing power: $76,068).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Centennial (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Centennial grew 17.5% from $31.78/hr (2019) to $37.35/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.48/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 Centennial 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 Centennial
In practice, an occupational therapy assistant working part-time, say for 24 hours a week, can anticipate an annual income of approximately $47,606, a figure significantly lower than full-time earnings. On the other hand, per diem occupational therapy assistants in Centennial commonly earn between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contract positions sometimes yielding $1,100 to $1,700 weekly. Employer types influence hourly rates substantially; positions in skilled nursing facilities may offer lower hourly rates due to the economic constraints following the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, while private outpatient clinics might provide higher pay with fewer benefits. This trade-off often complicates decisions for occupational therapy assistants regarding hourly pay versus health insurance. Negotiating effectively in Centennial’s job market entails understanding local compensation trends and being aware of the benefits package associated with various employment options, ensuring one can make informed decisions about their career path as they pursue further credentials from bodies like AOTA and NBCOT.
More salary data for Centennial, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Centennial in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Centennial?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Centennial paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Centennial?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Centennial?
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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 Centennial. 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 Centennial 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