Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Washington, DC: $43.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Washington, DC runs $43.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $90,730 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Washington's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.9, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $40.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,441 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Washington, DC, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $43.62. This figure significantly surpasses the national median hourly pay of $35.74, indicating a robust market for COTAs in the area. Such an hourly wage affirms the value of this profession, particularly in diverse work settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, outpatient clinics, and schools. For part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants, who often work three days a week, this translates into substantial weekly earnings, especially with an entry-level pay starting at approximately $32.82 and reaching up to $48.42 for those at the top of the pay spectrum. These official projections, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, suggest a favorable compensation landscape for occupational therapy assistants committed to providing essential therapeutic services across various environments.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.82 | $262.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.11 | $304.89 |
| Median (P50) | $43.62 | $348.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.83 | $374.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.42 | $387.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Washington
Based on $43.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.62/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Washington, DC can expect to earn approximately $90,734 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,347. With a cost-of-living index of 108.88 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Washington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Washington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,744.89 | $7,561 | $90,734 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,046.93 | $4,537 | $54,441 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $697.96 | $3,024 | $36,294 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Washington) | $43.62 |
| 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 Washington, DC earn a median of $90,730 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.06% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 4.30% above the District of Columbia state average of $86,989.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.62/hr = $54,441/year (purchasing power: $49,999).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $90,734/year (purchasing power: $83,331).
CoL index: 108.884 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Washington grew 28.8% from $32.95/hr (2019) to $42.43/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.85/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 Washington 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 Washington
When analyzing the income potential, part-time occupational therapy assistants earning their pay in Washington can expect to take home approximately $52,000 annually if they work around 24 hours a week. Conversely, those in per diem positions often navigate a spectrum of compensation, commonly billing between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contracts for COTAs running between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly. Agency positions in skilled nursing facilities sometimes offer premiums but have seen compressions due to the 15% reimbursement cut to OTA services imposed in 2022. Hourly rates can vary significantly depending on the employer type; for instance, positions in hospital inpatient rehab tend to pay higher than those in school districts or home health agencies. Many occupational therapy assistants choose to prioritize health benefits over hourly pay rates, which is a crucial trade-off to consider. For those looking to negotiate contracts or hourly pay, it's advisable to stay informed about local salary trends and leverage their skills within the context of DC’s unique healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 Washington. 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, 7-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