Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $31.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Wilkes-Barre, PA runs $31.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,711 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Wilkes-Barre's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,826 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the projected occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is $31.11, which reflects a slight disadvantage when compared to the national median of $35.74. This hourly rate situates COTAs in various typical work environments such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics. Part-time and per-diem workers can expect to earn between $22.29 and $37.24 per hour depending on their level of experience and the specific employer. Those starting in the field may earn closer to the lower end of this spectrum, while seasoned professionals or those in high-demand settings can command higher hourly wages. Understanding these nuances is critical for COTAs balancing work-life commitments or seeking flexible per-diem opportunities, which are common in home health visits and school therapy rooms.
About the Wilkes-Barre 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) | $22.29 | $178.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.41 | $211.30 |
| Median (P50) | $31.11 | $248.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.54 | $268.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.24 | $297.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilkes-Barre
Based on $31.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.11/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilkes-Barre, PA can expect to earn approximately $64,709 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,332. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilkes-Barre.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilkes-Barre
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,244.41 | $5,392 | $64,709 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $746.65 | $3,235 | $38,826 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $497.76 | $2,157 | $25,884 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Wilkes-Barre) | $31.11 |
| 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 Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $64,711 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.94% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $65,763.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.11/hr = $38,826/year (purchasing power: $39,862).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,709/year (purchasing power: $66,437).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Wilkes-Barre grew 17.5% from $25.74/hr (2019) to $30.26/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.98/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 Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre
For a part-time occupational therapy assistant working three days a week (approximately 24 hours), the annual take-home earnings can be significantly lower than those of full-time employees. Given the hourly pay rate in Wilkes-Barre, a typical part-time COTA could earn around $39,000 annually, which reflects the earnings disadvantages faced in comparison to full-time counterparts engaging in 40-hour workweeks. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Wilkes-Barre can range from $30 to $45 per hour, and travel contracts have become a viable option for those seeking lucrative pay, offering weekly earnings between $1,100 and $1,700. However, COTAs working in skilled nursing facilities may find their hourly rates compressed due to decreases in reimbursement rates following the 15% Medicare cut enacted in 2022. Variability in pay structures is influenced by employer type; COTAs might accept lower wages for consistent hours with benefits in hospital or educational settings versus opting for higher hourly rates without health insurance in agency roles. Effective negotiation can also play a role; being informed about local market conditions can empower COTAs to secure better rates, especially in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Wilkes-Barre in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Wilkes-Barre?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Wilkes-Barre paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Wilkes-Barre?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Wilkes-Barre?
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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 Wilkes-Barre. 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 Wilkes-Barre 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