Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Rochester, NH: $36.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Rochester, NH runs $36.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,774 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,062 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Rochester, New Hampshire, can expect a median hourly pay of $36.91, which is slightly above the national hourly median of $35.74. This competitive pay reflects the region's cost of living and the demand for COTAs in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home health. For part-time workers, those clocking in around three days a week, this pay translates into a manageable income. With the hourly range spanning from $28.29 at the entry-level to $44.87 for experienced professionals, there are ample opportunities for occupational therapy assistants to find flexible, beneficial positions tailored to their lifestyle preferences. This hourly data provides a practical framework for understanding compensation while considering the pressures brought on by the 15% Medicare cut on OTA-provided services, which continues to impact rates in specific settings.
About the Rochester Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.29 | $226.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.59 | $260.73 |
| Median (P50) | $36.91 | $295.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.21 | $321.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.87 | $358.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $36.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.91/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, NH can expect to earn approximately $76,770 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,291. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,476.35 | $6,398 | $76,770 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $885.81 | $3,839 | $46,062 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $590.54 | $2,559 | $30,708 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Rochester) | $36.91 |
| 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 Rochester, NH earn a median of $76,774 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.29% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.70% below the New Hampshire state average of $79,724.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.91/hr = $46,062/year (purchasing power: $42,928).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,770/year (purchasing power: $71,547).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Rochester grew 17.5% from $30.54/hr (2019) to $35.90/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.95/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
When examining part-time income potential, a 24-hour workweek would yield roughly $45,800 annually for a COTA, significantly less than a full-time counterpart's earnings but still viable for those pursuing higher education or balancing other responsibilities. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Rochester can vary widely, with locals earning between $30 and $45 per hour based on demand and specific contracts. Some COTAs may find travel contracts offering $1,100 to $1,700 weekly appealing, although they often come with no benefits, leading to trade-offs in hourly pay rates across employer types. Skilled nursing facilities, school districts, and outpatient clinics might not match the rates offered by per diem positions, but they often include critical benefits like health insurance. For those negotiating their hourly rates, it’s beneficial to consider the full package of benefits versus pure pay and to explore how each facility or agency reflects its value on occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Rochester.
More salary data for Rochester, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Rochester in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Rochester?
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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 Rochester. 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 Rochester 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