Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Butte, MT: $28.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Butte, MT runs $28.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,649 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Butte's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.2, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,195 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Butte, Montana, receive a median hourly pay of $28.20, which is notably lower than the national median of $35.74. This wage affects various employment arrangements, with part-time professionals who work three days a week (approximately 24 hours) earning significantly less than their full-time counterparts. The hourly wages also span from $19.73 for entry-level positions up to $34.80 for the most experienced professionals in the field. Given that most COTAs operate in skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics, these hourly rates are crucial for both full-time and per-diem workers considering their financial expectations in Butte's healthcare market.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.73 | $157.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.59 | $196.74 |
| Median (P50) | $28.20 | $225.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.04 | $248.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.80 | $278.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Butte
Based on $28.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.20/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Butte, MT can expect to earn approximately $58,658 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,841. With a cost-of-living index of 96.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Butte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Butte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,128.03 | $4,888 | $58,658 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $676.82 | $2,933 | $35,195 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $451.21 | $1,955 | $23,463 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Butte) | $28.20 |
| 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 Butte, MT earn a median of $58,649 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.10% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $60,338.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.20/hr = $35,195/year (purchasing power: $36,585).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,658/year (purchasing power: $60,975).
CoL index: 96.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Butte grew 17.5% from $23.34/hr (2019) to $27.43/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.99/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 Butte 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 Butte
Evaluating the financial landscape reveals distinct earning potential for part-time occupational therapy assistants compared to full-timers. A COTA working three days a week may take home about $43,000 annually, a stark contrast to a full-time colleague earning around $58,649. For those exploring per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Butte, rates can typically range from $30 to $45 per hour, with some travel contracts offering $1,100 to $1,700 weekly. It's worth considering how hourly rates vary across different employers, including skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics—some COTAs might accept lower pay for stable jobs with benefits, while others prefer higher pay rates that come without health insurance. Therefore, it's essential to negotiate effectively based on your unique needs and the specific employer type in Butte.
More salary data for Butte, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Butte in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Butte?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Butte paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Butte?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Butte?
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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 Butte. 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 Butte 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