Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Elko, NV: $32.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Elko, NV runs $32.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,368 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Elko's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,020 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Elko, Nevada, earn a median hourly pay of $32.87, which falls below the national median of $35.74. This hourly rate is crucial for those looking to work part-time or in per-diem positions, as it directly influences take-home pay for professionals in diverse settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and during home health visits. For entry-level positions, hourly wages can start at approximately $26.03, with top earners in the field reaching around $36.95 per hour. These figures represent estimates derived from annual salary data, highlighting the potential financial outcomes for COTAs considering various employment models in the local market.
About the Elko Market
Salary estimated from Nevada average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.03 | $208.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.61 | $236.87 |
| Median (P50) | $32.87 | $262.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.15 | $273.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.95 | $295.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elko
Based on $32.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.87/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elko, NV can expect to earn approximately $68,366 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,442. With a cost-of-living index of 98.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elko.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elko
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,314.73 | $5,697 | $68,366 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $788.84 | $3,418 | $41,020 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $525.89 | $2,279 | $27,346 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Elko) | $32.87 |
| 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 Elko, NV earn a median of $68,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.02% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.40% below the Nevada state average of $73,042.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.87/hr = $41,020/year (purchasing power: $41,729).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,366/year (purchasing power: $69,549).
CoL index: 98.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Elko (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Elko grew 17.5% from $27.20/hr (2019) to $31.97/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.79/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 Elko 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 Elko
Part-time occupational therapy assistants in Elko, working three days a week for a total of 24 hours, can expect to take home around $40,424 annually. In contrast, full-time COTAs can earn closer to $68,368. For those considering per diem opportunities, pay rates in this sector typically range from $30 to $45 per hour, while travel COTA contracts present lucrative options, often yielding $1,100 to $1,700 per week. Employment settings significantly impact these rates, as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and school districts offer varied compensation based on budget constraints and need. Occupational therapy assistants may face decisions regarding whether to accept lower hourly rates that come with health benefits or pursue higher rates devoid of added security. For successful negotiations within Elko’s market, COTAs should focus on understanding the pay spectrum across different employers while being informed about industry trends, such as shifts in Medicare reimbursements that have affected pay structures since 2022.
More salary data for Elko, NV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Elko in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Elko?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Elko paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Elko?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Elko?
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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 Elko. 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 Elko 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