Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Fort Collins, CO: $35.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Fort Collins, CO runs $35.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,581 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Fort Collins's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.1, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,150 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Collins, the projected hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant is $35.38, slightly lower than the national median of $35.74. This rate translates to a substantial income for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For instance, a COTA working three days a week could earn around $1,070 weekly, which can make full-time options in skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and schools an attractive choice. The hourly wage range for occupational therapy assistants starts at $30.89, moving up to $43.91 for the top earners, providing a clear pathway for career advancement within this field. The figures cited are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, giving a reliable insight into the compensation structure for COTAs in this growing city.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.89 | $247.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.40 | $259.16 |
| Median (P50) | $35.38 | $283.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.91 | $351.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.91 | $351.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Collins
Based on $35.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.38/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Collins, CO can expect to earn approximately $73,584 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,452. With a cost-of-living index of 101.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fort Collins.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Collins
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,415.08 | $6,132 | $73,584 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $849.05 | $3,679 | $44,150 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $566.03 | $2,453 | $29,434 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Fort Collins) | $35.38 |
| 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 Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $73,581 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.01% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.20% below the Colorado state average of $76,807.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.38/hr = $44,150/year (purchasing power: $43,658).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,584/year (purchasing power: $72,763).
CoL index: 101.128 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Fort Collins grew 17.5% from $29.27/hr (2019) to $34.41/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.37/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 Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins
Looking beyond the base hourly rate, part-time occupational therapy assistants working 24 hours a week can expect to take home about $55,560 annually, compared to their full-time counterparts. For those seeking flexibility, per diem contracts for occupational therapy assistants in Fort Collins often pay between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contracts offering a competitive $1,100 to $1,700 per week. However, some skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have experienced compression in pay due to the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that took effect in 2022. Pay varies considerably across different employer types; for instance, school districts may offer lower rates but provide valuable benefits like health insurance, prompting some COTAs to accept lower hourly wages for stability. When negotiating hourly rates, consider the balance between earnings and benefits, particularly in a market like Fort Collins where options are expanding, and maintaining good communication with employers can lead to better compensation packages.
More salary data for Fort Collins, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Fort Collins in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Fort Collins?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Fort Collins paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Fort Collins?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Fort Collins?
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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 Fort Collins. 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, 4-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