Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Buffalo, NY: $25.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Buffalo, NY runs $25.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,577 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Buffalo's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,551 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Buffalo, New York, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay reaches a median of $25.28, which reflects a significant disparity when compared to the national hourly median of $35.74. For those considering part-time work, such as a schedule of three days a week, this pay translates into feasible earnings in various healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. Within Buffalo, the hourly pay ranges from $20.72 for entry-level positions up to $33.50 for those who rank among the top earners in the field, as per the official BLS 2025 data projected to 2026.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.72 | $165.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.85 | $198.79 |
| Median (P50) | $25.28 | $202.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.65 | $245.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.50 | $267.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buffalo
Based on $25.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.28/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buffalo, NY can expect to earn approximately $52,584 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,337. With a cost-of-living index of 95.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Buffalo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buffalo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,011.24 | $4,382 | $52,584 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $606.74 | $2,629 | $31,551 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $404.50 | $1,753 | $21,034 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Buffalo) | $25.28 |
| 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 Buffalo, NY earn a median of $52,577 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.27% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 18.00% below the New York state average of $64,118.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.28/hr = $31,551/year (purchasing power: $32,919).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,584/year (purchasing power: $54,865).
CoL index: 95.844 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Buffalo grew 11.3% from $22.09/hr (2019) to $24.59/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.99/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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo
Exploring the dynamics of part-time and per-diem roles, an occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week would take home approximately $31,360 annually, significantly less than if they were to work full-time. However, per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Buffalo can range from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts often commanding $1,100 to $1,700 weekly. Compensation can vary by employer type, with skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics often offering lower pay due to the impact of the 15% Medicare Part B cut that began in 2022. Conversely, some COTAs might forgo higher pay in favor of employment that provides essential health insurance benefits. When negotiating hourly rates, it’s essential for occupational therapy assistants to be aware of industry standards and to advocate for their worth based on their experience and the specific demands of their roles in Buffalo.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Buffalo in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Buffalo?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Buffalo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Buffalo?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Buffalo?
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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 Buffalo. 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