Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Lewiston, ID: $32.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Lewiston, ID runs $32.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,122 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Lewiston's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.3, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,879 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lewiston, Idaho, the projected hourly pay for occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in 2026 is $32.76, which falls below the national median of $35.74 per hour. This hourly rate reflects the remuneration expected for OTAs working in diverse environments such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and schools, where many professionals are employed part-time or on a per-diem basis. For those working three days a week, this rate translates to flexible and meaningful employment, with entry-level positions starting at around $25.05 per hour and top earners making $39.75 per hour, showing a wide range in potential earnings based on experience and setting. Such financial projections are derived from annual salary data, providing insights that help prospective OTAs gauge their earning potential in Lewiston and understand how local pay correlates within the broader national context.
About the Lewiston 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) | $25.05 | $200.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.88 | $231.03 |
| Median (P50) | $32.76 | $262.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.64 | $285.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.75 | $317.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lewiston
Based on $32.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.76/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lewiston, ID can expect to earn approximately $68,131 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,306. With a cost-of-living index of 95.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lewiston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lewiston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,310.21 | $5,678 | $68,131 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $786.13 | $3,407 | $40,879 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $524.08 | $2,271 | $27,252 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Lewiston) | $32.76 |
| 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 Lewiston, ID earn a median of $68,122 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.35% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.80% below the Idaho state average of $70,813.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.76/hr = $40,879/year (purchasing power: $42,895).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,131/year (purchasing power: $71,491).
CoL index: 95.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lewiston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Lewiston grew 17.5% from $27.11/hr (2019) to $31.86/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.68/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 Lewiston 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 Lewiston
When considering the earning potential for a part-time occupational therapy assistant in Lewiston, a professional working 24 hours a week would approximately bring home $40,128 annually, reflecting a significant difference compared to full-time colleagues. Many occupational therapy assistants opt for per-diem roles, which can offer $30 to $45 per hour, depending on the facility and demand. Travel contracts for COTAs can be lucrative as well, running between $1,100 and $1,700 per week, although the premium for agency roles may have declined recently due to changes in reimbursement rates tied to the 15% Medicare cut imposed in 2022. In Lewiston, hourly rates can differ notably across employment settings; for example, school district contracts may provide less hourly compensation but include health benefits, making them attractive to some. Negotiating these rates can be crucial, so understanding local pay scales and communicating effectively about benefits can empower occupational therapy assistants to secure optimal offers in the region.
More salary data for Lewiston, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Lewiston in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Lewiston?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Lewiston paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Lewiston?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Lewiston?
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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 Lewiston. 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 Lewiston 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