Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Lancaster, PA: $35.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Lancaster, PA runs $35.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,198 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Lancaster's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,522 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, earn a median hourly rate of $35.68, slightly behind the national figure of $35.74. For professionals considering part-time work in this field, the hourly rate translates to meaningful earnings, particularly for those employed in skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics. Workers on a 24-hour work week, roughly three days, can earn about $850 a week, making this a feasible source of supplemental income. The hourly pay can span from $28.75 for entry-level positions to $40.31 for experienced professionals, highlighting the potential for growth in this vital healthcare role. This information is derived from official BLS hourly data, indicating a clear snapshot of the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay landscape in Lancaster as of 2026.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.75 | $229.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.88 | $239.01 |
| Median (P50) | $35.68 | $285.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.16 | $297.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.31 | $322.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lancaster
Based on $35.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.68/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lancaster, PA can expect to earn approximately $74,204 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,810. With a cost-of-living index of 98.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lancaster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lancaster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,427.00 | $6,184 | $74,204 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $856.20 | $3,710 | $44,522 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $570.80 | $2,473 | $29,682 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Lancaster) | $35.68 |
| 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 Lancaster, PA earn a median of $74,198 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.18% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 12.80% above the Pennsylvania state average of $65,778.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.68/hr = $44,522/year (purchasing power: $45,312).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,204/year (purchasing power: $75,520).
CoL index: 98.257 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Lancaster grew 16.3% from $29.84/hr (2019) to $34.70/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.68/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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster
Focusing on part-time and per-diem roles, an occupational therapy assistant working three days a week can anticipate annual earnings significantly lower than full-time counterparts, yet still lucrative. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Lancaster generally ranges from $30 to $45 an hour, making it an attractive choice for those seeking flexibility while maintaining a competitive income. Furthermore, travel contracts for COTAs can yield weekly earnings from $1,100 to $1,700, though recent cuts in reimbursement rates may affect skilled nursing facility pay rates. Employers such as schools, outpatient clinics, and home health agencies present varying rates where benefits can influence pay decisions. For many, choosing higher hourly rates without benefits is a trade-off for professional autonomy, while agency positions may appeal to those prioritizing income stability. Negotiating hourly pay effectively can enhance compensation, especially when considering the average cost of living in Lancaster and the current dynamics of the labor market in the occupational therapy field.
More salary data for Lancaster, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Lancaster 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 Lancaster. 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