Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Albany, NY: $30.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Albany, NY runs $30.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,948 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Albany's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,364 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albany, New York, the median hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant is projected to be $30.74 in 2026, which is approximately 13.97% lower than the national median hourly rate of $35.74. This hourly rate offers part-time workers, such as those committed to three days a week, the possibility of earning a decent income while maintaining a flexible schedule. For per-diem occupational therapy assistants working in environments like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics, the compensation structure provides an entry-level range starting from $23.48 to top earners making up to $34.83 an hour. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflects the potential earnings for COTAs who are looking to balance work-life responsibilities while contributing to patient care.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.48 | $187.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.11 | $224.87 |
| Median (P50) | $30.74 | $245.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.54 | $260.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.83 | $278.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albany
Based on $30.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.74/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albany, NY can expect to earn approximately $63,940 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,888. With a cost-of-living index of 99.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albany.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albany
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,229.61 | $5,328 | $63,940 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $737.76 | $3,197 | $38,364 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $491.84 | $2,131 | $25,576 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Albany) | $30.74 |
| 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 Albany, NY earn a median of $63,948 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.97% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.20% below the New York state average of $64,076.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.74/hr = $38,364/year (purchasing power: $38,531).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,940/year (purchasing power: $64,218).
CoL index: 99.566 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Albany grew 24.0% from $24.11/hr (2019) to $29.90/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.60/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 Albany 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 Albany
Exploring the earnings landscape for part-time occupational therapy assistants in Albany reveals that those working 24 hours a week can still make a substantial living compared to full-time peers. This configuration could equate to salaries of around $38,304 annually if consistently applied over time. Per diem roles provide a unique financial dynamic, with COTAs often billing between $30 and $45 per hour, while travel contract positions can net anywhere from $1,100 to $1,700 weekly. Yet, it’s noteworthy that some agencies have seen declines in premium pay since the 15% reduction in Medicare reimbursements for OTA services took effect in 2022. Health insurance and other benefits can significantly affect earnings, prompting occupational therapy assistants to weigh trade-offs between lower hourly rates with benefits versus higher pay without them. COTAs in Albany should consider negotiating carefully, keeping in mind the various employer types—such as hospitals versus school districts—and their differing pay scales when discussing compensation packages.
More salary data for Albany, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Albany. 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