Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Hagerstown, MD: $34.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Hagerstown, MD runs $34.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,216 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Hagerstown's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.2, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,726 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Hagerstown, Maryland, earn a median hourly pay of $34.24, which is slightly below the national average of $35.74. This hourly rate is reflective of the broad settings in which COTAs work, such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, outpatient clinics, and home health care. For part-time workers, such as those working three days a week, this pay translates to a substantial income, while per-diem roles can offer flexible earning opportunities. Entry-level positions start at approximately $24.61 per hour, with experienced professionals able to command rates up to $39.49. The data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and provides a clear view of the compensation landscape in Hagerstown for COTAs.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.61 | $196.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.08 | $248.64 |
| Median (P50) | $34.24 | $273.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.12 | $297.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.49 | $315.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hagerstown
Based on $34.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.24/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hagerstown, MD can expect to earn approximately $71,210 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,083. With a cost-of-living index of 94.17 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hagerstown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hagerstown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,369.43 | $5,934 | $71,210 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $821.66 | $3,561 | $42,726 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $547.77 | $2,374 | $28,484 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Hagerstown) | $34.24 |
| 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 Hagerstown, MD earn a median of $71,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.19% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 12.30% below the Maryland state average of $81,205.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.24/hr = $42,726/year (purchasing power: $45,371).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,210/year (purchasing power: $75,618).
CoL index: 94.171 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hagerstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Hagerstown grew 17.5% from $28.33/hr (2019) to $33.30/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.20/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 Hagerstown 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 Hagerstown
Part-time occupational therapy assistants, working around 24 hours a week, can expect to take home about $42,493 annually before taxes. This is considerably less than what full-time colleagues might earn, particularly given the demand for services following recent 15% Medicare cuts affecting OTA-reimbursed work. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Hagerstown typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, allowing for flexible schedules but often lacking essential benefits like health insurance. Various employer types, such as school districts and outpatient clinics, may offer different hourly rates, which can influence overall earning potential. Those in skilled nursing facilities or rehab hospitals might see their pay compressed due to reimbursement policies. COTAs often have to negotiate their pay carefully, weighing the benefits of higher hourly rates without health insurance against lower rates that provide such benefits, making knowledge of local market rates essential for successful discussions about compensation.
More salary data for Hagerstown, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Hagerstown in 2026?
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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 Hagerstown. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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