Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Lawrenceville, GA: $33.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Lawrenceville, GA runs $33.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,718 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Lawrenceville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,225 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Lawrenceville, Georgia, receive a median hourly pay of $33.03, which is slightly below the national median of $35.74. This hourly rate offers a solid foundation for part-time workers, particularly those engaging in three-day work weeks or per-diem roles across various environments, such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, and outpatient clinics. The hourly wage ranges from $24.27 at the 10th percentile up to $38.86 for top earners, providing a pathway for both entry-level positions and seasoned professionals to carve out their earnings within this essential healthcare field. With 2026 estimates drawn from the BLS data, these figures reflect not just the pay scale but also the demand for COTAs in a city that balances career opportunities and living costs.
About the Lawrenceville 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) | $24.27 | $194.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.42 | $227.33 |
| Median (P50) | $33.03 | $264.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.99 | $287.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.86 | $310.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lawrenceville
Based on $33.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.03/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lawrenceville, GA can expect to earn approximately $68,708 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,639. With a cost-of-living index of 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lawrenceville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lawrenceville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,321.31 | $5,726 | $68,708 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $792.79 | $3,435 | $41,225 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $528.53 | $2,290 | $27,483 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Lawrenceville) | $33.03 |
| 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 Lawrenceville, GA earn a median of $68,718 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.55% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.70% below the Georgia state average of $69,203.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.03/hr = $41,225/year (purchasing power: $44,280).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,708/year (purchasing power: $73,801).
CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lawrenceville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Lawrenceville grew 17.5% from $27.33/hr (2019) to $32.13/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.96/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 Lawrenceville 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 Lawrenceville
Considering part-time positions, an occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours per week can expect to earn significantly less annually than a full-time colleague. Earnings for those who work in a per-diem capacity can fluctuate widely; typical billing rates range between $30 and $45 per hour. Travel contracts might yield weekly pay from $1,100 to $1,700, although the recent 15% reimbursement cut for OTA services has led some skilled nursing facilities to adjust their pay scales. Moreover, COTAs in Lawrenceville may find that hourly rates vary depending on the employer type, with school districts sometimes offering lower pay but additional benefits such as health insurance, while outpatient clinics could offer higher wages but lack these perks. When negotiating pay, it's prudent to consider these trade-offs and to validate one's value based on local market conditions, ensuring that you secure a rate that reflects your qualifications and experience.
More salary data for Lawrenceville, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Lawrenceville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Lawrenceville?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Lawrenceville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Lawrenceville?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Lawrenceville?
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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 Lawrenceville. 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 Lawrenceville 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