Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Westerly, RI: $33.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Westerly, RI runs $33.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,763 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Westerly's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,854 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Westerly, Rhode Island, earn a median hourly pay of $33.54, which is slightly below the national median rate of $35.74. This hourly wage offers a reasonable standard of living for both full-time and part-time professionals, particularly those working in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home health environments. For part-time employees, typically working about three days a week, this translates to a comfortable financial situation. Hourly rates in Westerly range from $26.56 for entry-level positions to approximately $39.48 for more experienced practitioners, reflecting the varying levels of expertise and responsibility in the field. These figures are projected based on available annual salary data, providing a solid basis for understanding compensation in this vital healthcare role.
About the Westerly 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) | $26.56 | $212.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.13 | $241.07 |
| Median (P50) | $33.54 | $268.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.79 | $278.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.48 | $315.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Westerly
Based on $33.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.54/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Westerly, RI can expect to earn approximately $69,756 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,244. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Westerly.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Westerly
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,341.46 | $5,813 | $69,756 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $804.88 | $3,488 | $41,854 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $536.59 | $2,325 | $27,902 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Westerly) | $33.54 |
| 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 Westerly, RI earn a median of $69,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.15% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.60% below the Rhode Island state average of $74,692.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.54/hr = $41,854/year (purchasing power: $41,645).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,756/year (purchasing power: $69,409).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Westerly (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Westerly grew 17.5% from $27.75/hr (2019) to $32.62/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.48/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 Westerly 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 Westerly
Working as a part-time occupational therapy assistant in Westerly can yield a substantial income, with those putting in around 24 hours a week earning around $42,211 annually, compared to full-time workers who typically see a significantly higher take-home due to their increased hours. The per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Westerly often falls within the range of $30 to $45 per hour, depending on the specific employer and the demands of the job. Contract positions may offer even higher rates, with travel therapy contracts bringing in about $1,100 to $1,700 weekly. It's crucial to recognize that hourly rates may vary depending on the workplace, such as skilled nursing facilities or schools, each with unique funding structures and insurance reimbursements. Moreover, some occupational therapy assistants may opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, emphasizing the trade-offs in compensation that one must consider. Negotiating hourly pay can also be beneficial; being informed about industry standards in Westerly is critical to advocating for a fair wage in this evolving field.
More salary data for Westerly, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Westerly in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Westerly?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Westerly paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Westerly?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Westerly?
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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 Westerly. 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 Westerly 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