Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Santa Fe, NM: $34.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Santa Fe, NM runs $34.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,848 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Santa Fe's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,508 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $34.06, slightly below the national median of $35.74. This wage can significantly benefit part-time workers, particularly those who choose to work three days per week in a variety of settings such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and school therapy rooms. Those not working full-time often seek flexible per-diem opportunities, which allow for varied incomes based on available shifts. Across the board, hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants vary from $24.10 at the entry-level for new COTAs to around $42.40 for those at the top of the scale, reflecting a range that bestows financial potential to both fresh graduates and seasoned professionals in the field.
About the Santa Fe 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) | $24.10 | $192.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.70 | $229.64 |
| Median (P50) | $34.06 | $272.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.51 | $300.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.40 | $339.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Fe
Based on $34.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.06/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Fe, NM can expect to earn approximately $70,847 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,873. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Santa Fe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Fe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,362.44 | $5,904 | $70,847 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $817.46 | $3,542 | $42,508 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $544.98 | $2,362 | $28,339 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Santa Fe) | $34.06 |
| 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 Santa Fe, NM earn a median of $70,848 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.69% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.00% above the New Mexico state average of $70,147.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.06/hr = $42,508/year (purchasing power: $45,030).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,847/year (purchasing power: $75,050).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Santa Fe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Santa Fe grew 17.5% from $28.19/hr (2019) to $33.13/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.02/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 Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe
Examining part-time potential, an occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week would earn approximately $42,065 annually, which contrasts with full-time earnings that could considerably exceed this figure. Per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Santa Fe tends to range from $30 to $45 per hour, although rates for travel contracts can much higher, attracting pay up to $1,700 weekly. Given the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that began impacting OTA compensation in 2022, some may find themselves accepting positions in skilled nursing facilities or outpatient services for lower hourly rates but with the security of benefits such as health insurance. This dynamic between hourly wage and job security creates room for negotiation; professionals should consider market rates when discussing pay and ensure their compensation reflects both experience and the necessity for benefits if opting for lower hourly rates.
More salary data for Santa Fe, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Santa Fe in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Santa Fe?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Santa Fe paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Santa Fe?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Santa Fe?
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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 Santa Fe. 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 Santa Fe 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