Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Albuquerque, NM: $36.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Albuquerque, NM runs $36.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,470 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Albuquerque's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,883 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Albuquerque, NM, can expect a median hourly pay of $36.76, which slightly surpasses the national median of $35.74. This competitive rate offers significant benefits for part-time workers, especially those who secure positions three days a week. With their typical work environments being skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits, assistants appreciate the financial stability this hourly pay provides. Those entering the field can earn as low as $17.08 per hour while seasoned professionals can command as much as $49.83 per hour, allowing for a broad spectrum of opportunities based on experience and specific work settings. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, ensuring accuracy in the projected hourly compensation landscape for occupational therapy assistants in Albuquerque.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.08 | $136.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.01 | $224.04 |
| Median (P50) | $36.76 | $294.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.57 | $332.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.83 | $398.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albuquerque
Based on $36.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.76/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albuquerque, NM can expect to earn approximately $76,471 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,118. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albuquerque.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albuquerque
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,470.59 | $6,373 | $76,471 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $882.36 | $3,824 | $45,883 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $588.24 | $2,549 | $30,588 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Albuquerque) | $36.76 |
| 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 Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $76,470 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.88% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 9.00% above the New Mexico state average of $70,156.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.76/hr = $45,883/year (purchasing power: $48,021).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,471/year (purchasing power: $80,036).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Albuquerque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Albuquerque grew 23.3% from $29.01/hr (2019) to $35.76/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.80/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 Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque
Examining the potential earnings for part-time occupational therapy assistants reveals an interesting dynamic. Those who opt to work 24 hours per week can expect to take home around $46,029 annually, a figure that underscores the realistic financial implications of working fewer hours. For per-diem occupational therapy assistants in Albuquerque, pay can range from $30 to $45 per hour, particularly when working with staffing agencies. In some cases, travel contracts might yield $1,100 to $1,700 weekly, though the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursement for OTA-provided services in 2022 has pressured pay rates in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics. Hourly rates also fluctuate based on employer types, with hospital inpatient rehab and school district contracts potentially offering differing compensation compared to early intervention programs or home health agencies. While some therapists may choose lower hourly rates for benefits like health insurance, others might prefer higher pay without such perks. Those negotiating their hourly rates in Albuquerque should emphasize their skills and certifications, as the demand for qualified COTAs remains strong despite market challenges.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Albuquerque in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Albuquerque?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Albuquerque paid hourly or salary?
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Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Albuquerque?
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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 Albuquerque. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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