Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Louisville, CO: $34.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Louisville, CO runs $34.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,541 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Louisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,919 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, Colorado, the projected median hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant is $34.39, slightly below the national median of $35.74. This figure is significant for part-time and per-diem workers, particularly those in skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school settings, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. For occupational therapy assistants at the entry-level, hourly wages can begin at $26.02, while the experienced top earners can command rates as high as $40.34. These hourly estimates are derived from annual salary projections, allowing potential workers in this field to gauge their expected income based on a traditional work schedule or flexible per-diem arrangements.
About the Louisville 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) | $26.02 | $208.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.02 | $240.16 |
| Median (P50) | $34.39 | $275.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.86 | $294.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.34 | $322.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville
Based on $34.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.39/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville, CO can expect to earn approximately $71,531 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,268. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Louisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,375.60 | $5,961 | $71,531 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $825.36 | $3,577 | $42,919 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $550.24 | $2,384 | $28,612 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Louisville) | $34.39 |
| 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 Louisville, CO earn a median of $71,541 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.75% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.80% below the Colorado state average of $76,761.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.39/hr = $42,919/year (purchasing power: $40,875).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,531/year (purchasing power: $68,125).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Louisville grew 17.5% from $28.46/hr (2019) to $33.45/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.36/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 Louisville 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 Louisville
Analyzing the earning potential for occupational therapy assistants in Louisville reveals a promising landscape, especially for those considering part-time employment. Working three days a week at an hourly rate allows for flexibility while still yielding an annual income that might be appealing compared to full-time positions. Per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Louisville typically ranges from $30 to $45 an hour, but travel contracts offer even better financial incentives, with weekly rates often between $1,100 and $1,700. However, since changes in reimbursement policies post-2022 have dampened agency pay in skilled nursing facilities, many assistants must consider the trade-off of lower hourly rates tied to benefits like health insurance. Negotiating hourly pay in Louisville requires an understanding of these dynamics, and aspiring COTAs should weigh their options against potential employer types, such as outpatient clinics versus school districts, to secure the best arrangement for their financial and professional goals.
More salary data for Louisville, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Louisville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Louisville?
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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 Louisville. 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 Louisville 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