Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Bristol, RI: $34.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Bristol, RI runs $34.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,718 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Bristol's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,431 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Bristol, Rhode Island, earn a median hourly rate of $34.00, which is slightly below the national median of $35.74. This figure can have a significant impact for part-time and per-diem workers, who often seek flexible schedules in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. The hourly compensation reflects a broad range where entry-level positions are estimated to start at around $24.85, while experienced COTAs in the higher percentile can earn up to $40.91. These rates are derived from annual salary data, highlighting the variances in pay as COTAs navigate their career paths, especially in light of challenges such as the recent reimbursement cuts impacting the profession.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.85 | $198.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.01 | $232.10 |
| Median (P50) | $34.00 | $271.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.12 | $280.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.91 | $327.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bristol
Based on $34.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.00/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bristol, RI can expect to earn approximately $70,718 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,799. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bristol.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bristol
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,359.97 | $5,893 | $70,718 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $815.98 | $3,536 | $42,431 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $543.99 | $2,357 | $28,287 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Bristol) | $34.00 |
| 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 Bristol, RI earn a median of $70,718 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.86% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $74,676.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.00/hr = $42,431/year (purchasing power: $42,220).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,718/year (purchasing power: $70,367).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Bristol grew 17.5% from $28.13/hr (2019) to $33.07/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.95/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 Bristol 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 Bristol
When considering the earning potential of an occupational therapy assistant, a typical part-time schedule, working three days a week at 24 hours, offers a different financial reality compared to full-time positions. Annual earnings for part-time COTAs could be significantly lower, prompting many to seek per-diem work, which can command rates ranging from $30 to $45 per hour, depending on the setting. Travel contracts often provide lucrative opportunities, with weekly earnings between $1,100 and $1,700. However, employment with skilled nursing facilities or outpatient clinics may offer lower hourly wages but come with benefits such as health insurance, making it a trade-off some assistants are willing to accept. Understanding the hourly pay dynamics across diverse employer types in Bristol can aid in salary negotiations, with a focus on exploring comprehensive compensation packages that balance pay and benefits effectively.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Bristol in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Bristol?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Bristol paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Bristol?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Bristol?
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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 Bristol. 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 Bristol 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