Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Dalton, GA: $32.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Dalton, GA runs $32.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,791 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Dalton's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,070 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Dalton, Georgia, can expect a median hourly pay of $32.11, which is slightly lower than the national median of $35.74. This median hourly rate indicates that those working part-time, such as three days a week, can still take home a competitive wage while balancing their professional and personal lives. The hourly rates for entry-level COTAs start around $24.76, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $37.22 per hour in various practice settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics. With the cost of living index in Dalton being below the national average, the local occupational therapy assistant hourly pay may provide a solid foundation for individuals working in the field.
About the Dalton Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.76 | $198.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.46 | $227.66 |
| Median (P50) | $32.11 | $256.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.88 | $271.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.22 | $297.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dalton
Based on $32.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.11/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dalton, GA can expect to earn approximately $66,784 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,529. With a cost-of-living index of 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dalton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dalton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,284.30 | $5,565 | $66,784 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $770.58 | $3,339 | $40,070 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $513.72 | $2,226 | $26,713 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Dalton) | $32.11 |
| 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 Dalton, GA earn a median of $66,791 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.15% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.50% below the Georgia state average of $69,213.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.11/hr = $40,070/year (purchasing power: $43,040).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,784/year (purchasing power: $71,733).
CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Dalton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Dalton grew 17.5% from $26.57/hr (2019) to $31.23/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.01/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 Dalton 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 Dalton
Evaluating the financial picture for part-time occupational therapy assistants reveals that someone working 24 hours a week would generate a substantial income over the course of a year, though still considerably less than their full-time counterparts. Additionally, per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Dalton can vary widely; professionals might earn between $30 and $45 per hour, with contracted travel COTAs often seeing higher weekly earnings ranging from $1,100 to $1,700. The types of employers in Dalton, including skilled nursing facilities and school districts, can lead to different pay rates, affecting earnings slightly. Many COTAs face a trade-off when seeking higher hourly rates without benefits versus lower rates with health insurance coverage, an essential consideration in a field impacted by recent changes like the 15% Medicare cut. For COTAs venturing into negotiations, emphasizing specialized skills and experience can lead to better offers, particularly in high-demand areas of practice within Georgia.
More salary data for Dalton, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Dalton in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Dalton?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Dalton paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Dalton?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Dalton?
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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 Dalton. 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 Dalton 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