Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Springfield, OR: $35.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Springfield, OR runs $35.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,526 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Springfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,715 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Springfield, Oregon, the projected hourly pay for occupational therapy assistants is $35.83, slightly above the national median of $35.74. This competitive rate allows both part-time and per diem workers to thrive in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and during home health visits. Entry-level positions typically start around $26.34, while experienced professionals can earn up to $44.53 an hour, illustrating a significant earning potential throughout a career. These figures are based on annual salary projections, highlighting the growth and demand for COTAs in the Springfield area.
About the Springfield Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.34 | $210.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.94 | $247.48 |
| Median (P50) | $35.83 | $286.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.41 | $315.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.53 | $356.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Springfield
Based on $35.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.83/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Springfield, OR can expect to earn approximately $74,525 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,995. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Springfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Springfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,433.17 | $6,210 | $74,525 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $859.90 | $3,726 | $44,715 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $573.27 | $2,484 | $29,810 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Springfield) | $35.83 |
| 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 Springfield, OR earn a median of $74,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.26% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.30% below the Oregon state average of $76,280.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.83/hr = $44,715/year (purchasing power: $43,582).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,525/year (purchasing power: $72,636).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Springfield grew 17.5% from $29.65/hr (2019) to $34.85/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.84/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 Springfield 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 Springfield
Part-time occupational therapy assistants working 24 hours a week can expect to take home around $44,536 annually, a figure that reflects their reduced hours compared to full-time colleagues. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Springfield generally ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, making it a flexible option for many professionals, although some may choose to pursue agency positions where contracted COTAs earn between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly. Hourly rates can fluctuate according to employer type, with skilled nursing facilities typically offering less than outpatient clinics or school districts, which may also provide benefits that might influence pay negotiations. Many COTAs face trade-offs between higher pay without benefits and lower pay with health insurance. For those entering discussions, it’s wise to understand local pay scales, and be prepared to negotiate around health benefits as part of their overall compensation package, considering the cost of living in the area.
More salary data for Springfield, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Springfield in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Springfield?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Springfield paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Springfield?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Springfield?
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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 Springfield. 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 Springfield 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