Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Oxford, OH: $29.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Oxford, OH runs $29.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,581 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Oxford's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,952 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oxford, Ohio, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected to be $29.61 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $35.74 per hour. This pay rate holds significance for part-time professionals who may work three days each week, as it translates to a manageable income while also allowing flexibility in their schedules. Per-diem workers in this field, often found in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health agencies, may earn within a range reflective of their experience, from approximately $21.45 at entry-level positions to about $35.44 for top earners in the region. These hourly wage estimates are derived from annual salary figures and represent the evolving dynamics of occupational therapy assistant roles in Oxford, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities present within the profession.
About the Oxford Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.45 | $171.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.98 | $215.82 |
| Median (P50) | $29.61 | $236.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.07 | $248.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.44 | $283.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oxford
Based on $29.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.61/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oxford, OH can expect to earn approximately $61,587 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,531. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oxford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oxford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,184.37 | $5,132 | $61,587 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $710.62 | $3,079 | $36,952 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $473.75 | $2,053 | $24,635 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Oxford) | $29.61 |
| 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 Oxford, OH earn a median of $61,581 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.15% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.60% below the Ohio state average of $65,234.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.61/hr = $36,952/year (purchasing power: $40,741).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,587/year (purchasing power: $67,902).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oxford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Oxford grew 17.5% from $24.50/hr (2019) to $28.80/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.44/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 Oxford 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 Oxford
Focusing on part-time employment in the occupational therapy assistant field, a COTA working 24 hours per week will earn significantly less compared to full-time counterparts, resulting in annual take-home pay that may not exceed $38,000 before taxes. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Oxford generally ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, but individual experiences can vary depending on the employer type. COTAs can explore contract work, which offers lucrative options, with travel COTA contracts yielding between $1,100 and $1,700 per week. However, many professionals face a trade-off between higher hourly pay without benefits and lower rates that include health insurance coverage. With an industry backdrop of recent reimbursement cuts impacting skilled nursing facilities, effective negotiation becomes essential. Prospective COTAs should be prepared to highlight their skills and experiences, leveraging local hiring trends when discussing pay to maximize their earning potential in this competitive area of healthcare.
More salary data for Oxford, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Oxford in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Oxford?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Oxford paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Oxford?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Oxford?
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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 Oxford. 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 Oxford 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