Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Arlington, TX: $39.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Arlington, TX runs $39.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,765 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Arlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,065 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arlington, Texas, the projected median hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant is $39.31, which surpasses the national average of $35.74. This higher rate is particularly attractive for part-time and per-diem professionals who often work in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, and delivering home health care. Positions can offer a substantial hourly range, starting at $25.99 for entry-level roles and extending up to $50.69 for experienced practitioners. These figures are indicative of the industry landscape and reflect earnings potential derived from annual salary data, allowing COTAs the opportunity for flexibility in their work schedules while still benefiting from competitive wages in the region.
About the Arlington Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.99 | $207.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.94 | $255.54 |
| Median (P50) | $39.31 | $314.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.95 | $351.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.69 | $405.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Arlington
Based on $39.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.31/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Arlington, TX can expect to earn approximately $81,774 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,177. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Arlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Arlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,572.58 | $6,815 | $81,774 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $943.55 | $4,089 | $49,065 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $629.03 | $2,726 | $32,710 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Arlington) | $39.31 |
| 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 Arlington, TX earn a median of $81,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.00% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 4.40% above the Texas state average of $78,319.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.31/hr = $49,065/year (purchasing power: $51,109).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,774/year (purchasing power: $85,182).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Arlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Arlington grew 17.5% from $32.53/hr (2019) to $38.24/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.42/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 Arlington 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 Arlington
When considering part-time employment, an occupational therapy assistant working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could anticipate earning around $46,000 annually, substantially less than their full-time counterparts. However, many COTAs opt for per-diem roles, which can offer varied compensation between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contracts potentially yielding even higher weekly rates of $1,100 to $1,700. The pay scale within Arlington fluctuates based on workplace settings; for instance, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics may exhibit different hourly rates due to shifts in Medicare reimbursement policies, such as the 15% cut that impacted rates in recent years. Consequently, negotiating for higher pay may come down to a trade-off between immediate hourly earnings and associated benefits like health insurance. Thus, COTAs should assess not only their hourly rate but also the overall compensation package when deciding on their employment circumstances in Arlington, TX.
More salary data for Arlington, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Arlington in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Arlington?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Arlington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Arlington?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Arlington?
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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 Arlington. 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 Arlington 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