Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Wheaton, MD: $39.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Wheaton, MD runs $39.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,233 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Wheaton's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,744 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Wheaton, Maryland, can expect a median hourly pay of $39.06, which is significantly higher than the national median of $35.74 per hour. This robust hourly rate allows for a compelling earning potential whether working part-time, such as three days a week in various settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, or outpatient clinics, or as a per-diem occupational therapy assistant. For individuals in entry-level positions, the hourly rate starts at around $27.02, while top earners in the profession can make up to $47.84 per hour. These figures, derived from projected annual salary estimates, provide a suitable foundation to understand the earning prospects in Wheaton for COTAs who choose flexible working arrangements or full-time employment.
About the Wheaton Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.02 | $216.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.45 | $259.57 |
| Median (P50) | $39.06 | $312.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.53 | $340.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.84 | $382.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheaton
Based on $39.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.06/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheaton, MD can expect to earn approximately $81,240 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,869. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Wheaton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheaton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,562.30 | $6,770 | $81,240 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $937.38 | $4,062 | $48,744 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $624.92 | $2,708 | $32,496 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Wheaton) | $39.06 |
| 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 Wheaton, MD earn a median of $81,233 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.28% higher than the national median of $74,332.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.06/hr = $48,744/year (purchasing power: $44,596).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,240/year (purchasing power: $74,327).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wheaton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Wheaton grew 17.5% from $32.32/hr (2019) to $37.99/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.16/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 Wheaton 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 Wheaton
Considering a part-time schedule can yield significant returns for occupational therapy assistants. A typical three-day work week at 24 hours results in an approximate annual income that, while lower than a full-time COTA, can still offer substantial financial benefits, especially when factoring in personal time or additional part-time roles. Per diem pay ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts providing earnings of $1,100 to $1,700 per week, depending on location and demand. In Wheaton, the type of employer—whether a skilled nursing facility, hospital, or school—can greatly influence hourly wages. Many occupational therapy assistants may find themselves weighing the pros and cons of lower hourly pay with benefits against higher hourly rates without the safety net of health insurance. As they negotiate, it can be advantageous for COTAs to research prevailing rates in their specific niche and articulate their skills and credentials founded on AOTA guidance and the NBCOT certification, especially in a market impacted by reimbursement cuts and varying employer demand.
More salary data for Wheaton, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Wheaton in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Wheaton?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Wheaton paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Wheaton?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Wheaton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Maryland
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 Wheaton. 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 Wheaton 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