Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Norristown, PA: $30.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Norristown, PA runs $30.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,690 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Norristown's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,210 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Norristown, Pennsylvania, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stands at $30.62, significantly lower than the national average of $35.74 per hour. This disparity highlights the challenges faced by professionals in the area, particularly for those seeking part-time or per-diem work in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, or outpatient clinics. For part-time positions, such as working three days a week, this hourly rate can translate into a modest income, while per-diem professionals may find flexibility in their schedules but must navigate the varying pay structures. The hourly pay range for occupational therapy assistants in Norristown is estimated between $21.23 and $35.62, providing a wide gap from entry-level wages to those achieved by experienced practitioners.
About the Norristown 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) | $21.23 | $169.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.27 | $218.12 |
| Median (P50) | $30.62 | $244.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.46 | $259.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.62 | $284.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Norristown
Based on $30.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.62/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Norristown, PA can expect to earn approximately $63,683 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,740. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Norristown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Norristown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,224.67 | $5,307 | $63,683 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $734.80 | $3,184 | $38,210 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $489.87 | $2,123 | $25,473 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Norristown) | $30.62 |
| 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 Norristown, PA earn a median of $63,690 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.32% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.10% below the Pennsylvania state average of $65,727.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.62/hr = $38,210/year (purchasing power: $39,230).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,683/year (purchasing power: $65,383).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Norristown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Norristown grew 17.5% from $25.34/hr (2019) to $29.78/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.48/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 Norristown 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 Norristown
For those opting for part-time work in Norristown, the financial picture changes dramatically. A three-day work schedule, totaling 24 hours, could yield an annual take-home around $38,016, which is considerably less than the earnings of full-time counterparts. In the realm of per diem occupational therapy assistant pay, rates are often billed between $30 and $45 per hour, depending on the facility and demand. However, it’s worth noting that the 15% Medicare Part B cut for OTA services, implemented in 2022, has affected compensation in skilled nursing and outpatient settings, pressuring some agencies to offer lower hourly rates. Hourly wages may also fluctuate considerably based on the employer type; for instance, those in early intervention programs may earn less compared to their counterparts in hospital settings. Therefore, occupational therapy assistants must carefully weigh the benefits of higher hourly pay against the stability and health benefits offered by full-time positions. In a competitive market like Norristown, effective negotiation remains essential, particularly for hourly workers navigating varying agency standards and payer demands.
More salary data for Norristown, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Norristown in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Norristown?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Norristown paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Norristown?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Norristown?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 Norristown. 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 Norristown 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