Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Hazleton, PA: $30.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Hazleton, PA runs $30.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,812 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Hazleton's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,287 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hazleton, Pennsylvania, the projected occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stands at $30.68, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $35.74. This indicates that professionals in this field may feel the financial constraints more acutely than their peers in other regions. With part-time positions often filled by individuals working three days a week, these occupational therapy assistants can expect to earn approximately $24,000 to $30,000 annually, depending on hours and specific contracts. The hourly pay varies significantly across different experience levels, with entry-level positions starting around $21.39 and experienced assistants earning up to $37.77 per hour. These figures reflect the diverse settings where COTAs are employed, such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, and through home health services.
About the Hazleton Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.39 | $171.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.39 | $219.11 |
| Median (P50) | $30.68 | $245.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.71 | $269.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.77 | $302.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hazleton
Based on $30.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.68/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hazleton, PA can expect to earn approximately $63,811 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,814. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hazleton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hazleton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,227.14 | $5,318 | $63,811 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $736.28 | $3,191 | $38,287 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $490.86 | $2,127 | $25,525 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Hazleton) | $30.68 |
| 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 Hazleton, PA earn a median of $63,812 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.15% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.00% below the Pennsylvania state average of $65,786.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.68/hr = $38,287/year (purchasing power: $39,309).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,811/year (purchasing power: $65,515).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hazleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Hazleton grew 17.5% from $25.39/hr (2019) to $29.84/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.54/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 Hazleton 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 Hazleton
When examining the specifics of part-time and per-diem work in Hazleton, it’s clear that earning potential can change based on the type of employment arrangement. For instance, a three-day work schedule accumulating 24 hours may yield a base income much lower than full-time counterparts who typically work 36 to 40 hours weekly. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Hazleton can fluctuate between $30 and $45 per hour, though some travel contracts may command weekly compensation ranging from $1,100 to $1,700. However, the professional climate has been affected by the recent 15% Medicare cut, leading to reduced reimbursement rates, particularly in skilled nursing facilities. Occupational therapy assistants must also weigh the benefits of accepting hourly work that provides health insurance versus positions offering higher rates without any added benefits. Understanding the variances in pay across different employer types in Hazleton, including home health programs and outpatient clinics, is essential for negotiating salaries effectively and ensuring fair compensation in this evolving industry.
More salary data for Hazleton, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Hazleton in 2026?
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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 Hazleton. 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 Hazleton 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