Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Mountain Home, ID: $32.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Mountain Home, ID runs $32.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,793 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Mountain Home's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.3, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,070 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Mountain Home, ID, stands at a median rate of $32.11. When compared to the national hourly median of $35.74, it reflects a slight gap in earnings, suggesting local economic conditions and demand for these professionals. For those considering part-time opportunities, working three days a week typically allows for a flexible schedule while still enabling a reasonable income in therapeutic environments such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, and outpatient clinics. The hourly wage varies for entry-level positions starting around $23.11 and can go up to $38.47 for more experienced practitioners, providing a robust range for occupational therapy assistants in the region.
About the Mountain Home 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) | $23.11 | $184.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.23 | $233.83 |
| Median (P50) | $32.11 | $256.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.84 | $278.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.47 | $307.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mountain Home
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 Mountain Home, ID 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 95.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mountain Home.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mountain Home
| 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 (Mountain Home) | $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 Mountain Home, ID earn a median of $66,793 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.14% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.70% below the Idaho state average of $70,830.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.11/hr = $40,070/year (purchasing power: $42,046).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,784/year (purchasing power: $70,077).
CoL index: 95.3 (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 Mountain Home (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 | $27.65/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 Mountain Home 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 Mountain Home 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 Mountain Home
When exploring the dynamics of pay for a part-time occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week, annual earnings can add up significantly compared to a full-time schedule. Typical per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Mountain Home ranges widely, with many practitioners billing at rates from $30 to $45 per hour. Additionally, COTAs taking travel contracts might earn between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly, although some have seen their agency pay decline following the 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts that impacted particular settings. Importantly, the pay scale can differ considerably across employer types, whether in skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab, or school contracts. While some occupational therapy assistants may prefer higher hourly wages without benefits, many opt for positions that provide health insurance, navigating the associated trade-offs. Effectively negotiating pay, based on local standards and personal skill levels, can yield a more favorable remuneration structure for practitioners in Mountain Home.
More salary data for Mountain Home, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Mountain Home in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Mountain Home?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Mountain Home paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Mountain Home?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Mountain Home?
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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 Mountain Home. 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 Mountain Home 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