Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Tulsa, OK: $37.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Tulsa, OK runs $37.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,478 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Tulsa's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.2, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,486 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tulsa, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $37.25, which is slightly above the national median of $35.74. This hourly rate opens up diverse opportunities for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, particularly within bustling therapy environments like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and during home health visits. Entry-level professionals in Tulsa can expect to earn around $29.31 per hour, while experienced practitioners may reach up to $40.18 an hour, showcasing a clear pathway for income advancement within the field. Such competitive rates reflect a growing demand for occupational therapy assistants in the region and provide a strong incentive for professionals to consider this rewarding avenue in allied health care.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.31 | $234.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.85 | $246.83 |
| Median (P50) | $37.25 | $297.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.75 | $309.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.18 | $321.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tulsa
Based on $37.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.25/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tulsa, OK can expect to earn approximately $77,476 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,698. With a cost-of-living index of 89.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tulsa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tulsa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,489.92 | $6,456 | $77,476 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $893.95 | $3,874 | $46,486 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $595.97 | $2,583 | $30,990 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Tulsa) | $37.25 |
| 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 Tulsa, OK earn a median of $77,478 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.23% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 17.20% above the Oklahoma state average of $66,107.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.25/hr = $46,486/year (purchasing power: $52,106).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,476/year (purchasing power: $86,843).
CoL index: 89.214 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tulsa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Tulsa grew 9.4% from $33.13/hr (2019) to $36.23/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.29/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 Tulsa 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 Tulsa
When it comes to part-time positions, an occupational therapy assistant working three days a week, totaling about 24 hours, brings home a considerably different income compared to full-time employment. For instance, working on that schedule could result in annual earnings of approximately $46,500, offering flexibility while still maintaining a respectable income. For those pursuing per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Tulsa, rates typically fall between $30 and $45 per hour, while traveling COTAs may see contract rates ranging from $1,100 to $1,700 weekly. The choice of employer—be it a skilled nursing facility, hospital rehab, school district, or other settings—can significantly affect pay rates, with clear trade-offs between higher hourly wages and lower benefits versus more stable employment with comprehensive health insurance. Occupational therapy assistants can also consider negotiating their hourly rates based on local demand, particularly in light of the reimbursement challenges caused by the Medicare cuts introduced in 2022, which have led some facilities to adjust their compensation structures.
More salary data for Tulsa, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Tulsa in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Tulsa?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Tulsa paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Tulsa?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Tulsa?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oklahoma
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 Tulsa. 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