Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Waterbury, CT: $31.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Waterbury, CT runs $31.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,117 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Waterbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.8, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,672 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waterbury, Connecticut, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stands at $31.79, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $35.74. This rate can significantly impact the income of both part-time and per-diem workers in various healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. For a typical part-time schedule of three days a week, occupational therapy assistants can anticipate a consistent income, while the hourly range allows entry-level professionals to earn around $30.62, while experienced individuals can reach up to $39.13 per hour, reflecting their growing skill and responsibilities. The figures presented come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' estimates based on 2025 data, projected to 2026.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.62 | $244.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.76 | $246.09 |
| Median (P50) | $31.79 | $254.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.06 | $296.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.13 | $313.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterbury
Based on $31.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.79/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterbury, CT can expect to earn approximately $66,121 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,147. With a cost-of-living index of 99.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,271.55 | $5,510 | $66,121 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $762.93 | $3,306 | $39,672 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $508.62 | $2,204 | $26,448 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Waterbury) | $31.79 |
| 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 Waterbury, CT earn a median of $66,117 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.05% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 11.90% below the Connecticut state average of $75,048.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.79/hr = $39,672/year (purchasing power: $39,761).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,121/year (purchasing power: $66,268).
CoL index: 99.778 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+1.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Waterbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Waterbury grew -3.6% from $32.09/hr (2019) to $30.92/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.68/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 Waterbury 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 Waterbury
For those considering part-time positions, working 24 hours a week could yield around $39,000 annually, providing a decent living while allowing for flexibility. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Waterbury typically varies between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contracts offering lucrative weekly salaries ranging from $1,100 to $1,700. However, the recent 15% Medicare cut affecting OTA services has led to a decline in pay rates in many skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings. Each type of employer offers varying compensation; skilled nursing facilities may pay less but often provide essential health benefits, while school district contracts and outpatient clinics might offer better hourly rates but without benefits. Therefore, occupational therapy assistants in Waterbury must weigh the trade-offs of pay versus benefits carefully, especially when negotiating their hourly compensation.
More salary data for Waterbury, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Waterbury in 2026?
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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 Waterbury. 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, 5-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