Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Caldwell, ID: $34.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Caldwell, ID runs $34.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,395 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Caldwell's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.3, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,842 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Caldwell, Idaho, the projected median pay for an occupational therapy assistant (COTA) is $34.33 per hour in 2026, slightly below the national median of $35.74 per hour. This aligns with the range for entry-level to top-earning positions, offering $23.18 at the 10th percentile and going up to $41.35 at the 90th percentile. For those participating in part-time work, such as a typical three-day workweek, this hourly wage supports a balanced lifestyle while providing quality care in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and outpatient clinics. Moreover, per-diem workers in the area might appreciate the flexibility afforded to them, enabling a range of hourly earnings that can accommodate varied patient needs and clinical settings, derived from annual salary data.
About the Caldwell Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.18 | $185.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.15 | $241.23 |
| Median (P50) | $34.33 | $274.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.97 | $295.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.35 | $330.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Caldwell
Based on $34.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.33/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Caldwell, ID can expect to earn approximately $71,403 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,194. With a cost-of-living index of 95.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Caldwell.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Caldwell
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,373.13 | $5,950 | $71,403 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $823.88 | $3,570 | $42,842 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $549.25 | $2,380 | $28,561 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Caldwell) | $34.33 |
| 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 Caldwell, ID earn a median of $71,395 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.95% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.80% above the Idaho state average of $70,829.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.33/hr = $42,842/year (purchasing power: $44,955).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,403/year (purchasing power: $74,924).
CoL index: 95.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Caldwell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Caldwell grew 17.5% from $28.41/hr (2019) to $33.39/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.29/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 Caldwell 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 Caldwell
Part-time occupational therapy assistants in Caldwell, working around 24 hours a week, could expect to take home significantly different annual incomes compared to their full-time counterparts. Those seeking per diem opportunities may find themselves experiencing variability in earnings; while they typically bill between $30 and $45 per hour, additional contracts, particularly in travel settings, can yield between $1,100 and $1,700 per week. Yet, with the concerning reimbursement cuts imposed in 2022 affecting skilled nursing facilities, pay in these settings has declined, pressing COTAs to consider their options carefully. Compensation can significantly differ depending on employer types, like outpatient clinics or school districts, leading some COTAs to choose lower hourly rates if they come with benefits such as health insurance. For those managing negotiations, understanding market conditions and showcasing their skills effectively can lead to better compensation packages in a competitive Caldwell environment.
More salary data for Caldwell, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Caldwell in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Caldwell?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Caldwell paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Caldwell?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Caldwell?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Idaho
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 Caldwell. 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 Caldwell 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