Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Reading, PA: $35.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Reading, PA runs $35.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,136 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Reading's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,484 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Reading, Pennsylvania, the projected hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant stands at $35.64, which is slightly below the national median of $35.74. This rate reflects the compensation available to those working part-time in various healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and during home health visits. For professionals seeking part-time roles, averaging three days a week could provide a satisfactory income while maintaining a flexible schedule. The hourly pay range for occupational therapy assistants in Reading varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning approximately $29.15, while more experienced practitioners can make up to $38.78 per hour, according to official BLS data projected for 2026.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.15 | $233.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.66 | $245.26 |
| Median (P50) | $35.64 | $285.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.09 | $304.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.78 | $310.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Reading
Based on $35.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.64/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Reading, PA can expect to earn approximately $74,140 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,773. With a cost-of-living index of 97.06 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Reading.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Reading
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,425.77 | $6,178 | $74,140 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $855.46 | $3,707 | $44,484 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $570.31 | $2,471 | $29,656 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Reading) | $35.64 |
| 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 Reading, PA earn a median of $74,136 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.26% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 12.70% above the Pennsylvania state average of $65,782.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.64/hr = $44,484/year (purchasing power: $45,831).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,140/year (purchasing power: $76,386).
CoL index: 97.06 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Reading (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Reading grew 20.6% from $28.74/hr (2019) to $34.67/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.65/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 Reading 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 Reading
When considering the financial implications of part-time work, a 24-hour weekly schedule for an occupational therapy assistant translates to an annual take-home amount considerably lower than that of full-time employees. Many per diem occupational therapy assistants in Reading may earn between $30 and $45 per hour, but variations exist based on setting and employer type. For instance, skilled nursing facilities may offer lower rates, affected by the 15% Medicare cut for OTA services that took effect in 2022, whereas travel contracts can yield more lucrative weekly compensation from $1,100 to $1,700. The decision between accepting a lower hourly rate with health benefits or a higher pay rate without benefits has become a significant consideration for many occupational therapy assistants. For those negotiating their hourly pay in Reading, it's beneficial to highlight unique skills or experience, as well as to understand employer-specific reimbursement models, which can significantly impact the overall hourly rate.
More salary data for Reading, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Reading in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Reading?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Reading paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Reading?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Reading?
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 Reading. 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