Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in East Honolulu, HI: $41.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in East Honolulu, HI runs $41.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,929 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against East Honolulu's regional price level (BEA RPP 119.3, 19% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,157 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In East Honolulu, the projected occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in 2026 stands at $41.79, significantly surpassing the national median hourly rate of $35.74. This indicates a favorable environment for COTAs, particularly for those considering part-time positions such as three-day workweeks in various clinical settings. For instance, part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants working in skilled nursing facility therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, or hospital rehab units can expect to earn between $29.67 and $52.28 per hour. The variance in this hourly rate reflects the range of experience and specialization within the field, allowing newer assistants to begin their careers while established professionals may command higher rates for their expertise and skills.
Earning potential also differs for those pursuing part-time roles compared to full-time positions, as a COTA working 24 hours a week could take home around $52,000 annually, a significant income for many in East Honolulu. In the realm of per diem occupational therapy assistant pay, regional contracts typically range from $30 to $45 an hour, while travel assignments could yield between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly. However, following the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut in 2022, the premium pay for staffing agencies in skilled nursing facilities has experienced a decline, affecting overall compensation. Pay rates will vary across employer types, with skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health agencies offering differing hourly rates reflective of benefits, stability, and work environment trade-offs. For instance, some COTAs may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance. Those negotiating hourly pay in East Honolulu should emphasize their educational background, covering essential points from AOTA and NBCOT requirements, while also demonstrating flexibility in scheduling to capitalize on the diverse opportunities in this healthcare niche.
About the East Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.67 | $237.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.28 | $282.28 |
| Median (P50) | $41.79 | $334.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.96 | $351.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.28 | $418.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in East Honolulu
Based on $41.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.79/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in East Honolulu, HI can expect to earn approximately $86,928 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,151. With a cost-of-living index of 119.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in East Honolulu.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in East Honolulu
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,671.69 | $7,244 | $86,928 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,003.01 | $4,346 | $52,157 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $668.68 | $2,898 | $34,771 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (East Honolulu) | $41.79 |
| 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 East Honolulu, HI earn a median of $86,929 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.95% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $88,703.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.79/hr = $52,157/year (purchasing power: $43,719).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,928/year (purchasing power: $72,865).
CoL index: 119.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in East Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in East Honolulu grew 17.5% from $34.58/hr (2019) to $40.65/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.97/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 East Honolulu 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.
More salary data for East Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in East Honolulu in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in East Honolulu?
Are occupational therapy assistants in East Honolulu paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in East Honolulu?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in East Honolulu?
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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 East Honolulu. 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 East Honolulu 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