Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Alamogordo, NM: $32.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Alamogordo, NM runs $32.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,268 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Alamogordo's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,956 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Alamogordo, the median occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected to be $32.82 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $35.74. This figures prominently for those considering part-time positions, as a three-day workweek typically translates to an annual income that may appeal to those seeking flexible schedules or supplemental income. Per-diem occupational therapy assistants working in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, or outpatient clinics may find themselves in the entry-level range of $23.03 to earn up to $40.58 per hour at the higher end. These hourly rates, derived from annual salary estimates, reflect both the demand for services and the work environments available in Alamogordo.
About the Alamogordo Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.03 | $184.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.67 | $229.39 |
| Median (P50) | $32.82 | $262.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.17 | $289.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.58 | $324.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Alamogordo
Based on $32.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.82/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Alamogordo, NM can expect to earn approximately $68,259 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,380. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Alamogordo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Alamogordo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,312.68 | $5,688 | $68,259 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $787.61 | $3,413 | $40,956 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $525.07 | $2,275 | $27,304 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Alamogordo) | $32.82 |
| 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 Alamogordo, NM earn a median of $68,268 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.16% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.70% below the New Mexico state average of $70,162.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.82/hr = $40,956/year (purchasing power: $43,385).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,259/year (purchasing power: $72,309).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Alamogordo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Alamogordo grew 17.5% from $27.16/hr (2019) to $31.92/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.74/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 Alamogordo 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 Alamogordo
Looking deeper into the earning potential within this field, an occupational therapy assistant working part-time three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could expect to take home around $40,022 annually, translating their skills into a steady income without the commitment of full-time hours. Per diem positions often see rates between $30-$45 per hour, with travel COTAs securing contracts that average between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly. The variability in occupational therapy assistant hourly rate NM reflects differences in employer types; for instance, skilled nursing facilities may offer lower rates due to tighter budgets, while outpatient clinics might pay more to attract talent. The trade-off many face is the choice between higher hourly pay without benefits versus lower pay with healthcare coverage. Negotiation is key in this market; being informed about average rates in the area and considering both the hourly pay and the value of benefits can empower COTAs in Alamogordo to make informed career choices.
More salary data for Alamogordo, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Alamogordo in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Alamogordo?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Alamogordo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Alamogordo?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Alamogordo?
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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 Alamogordo. 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 Alamogordo 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