Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Cleburne, TX: $37.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Cleburne, TX runs $37.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,858 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Cleburne's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,717 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Hourly compensation for occupational therapy assistants in Cleburne, TX, is projected at $37.43 in 2026, which exceeds the national median of $35.74. This higher hourly rate offers appealing opportunities for part-time or per-diem positions. Working three days a week in various environments—such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and during home health visits—COTAs can expect robust earnings. Entry-level positions may start at around $27.57, while experienced practitioners can command up to $45.44 per hour, reflecting a considerable potential for wage growth in the field. Importantly, these hourly rates, derived from annual figures, illustrate the demand and competitive landscape for occupational therapy assistants in the region.
About the Cleburne 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) | $27.57 | $220.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.25 | $258.01 |
| Median (P50) | $37.43 | $299.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.83 | $326.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.44 | $363.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleburne
Based on $37.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.43/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleburne, TX can expect to earn approximately $77,861 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,920. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleburne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleburne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,497.32 | $6,488 | $77,861 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $898.39 | $3,893 | $46,717 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $598.93 | $2,595 | $31,144 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Cleburne) | $37.43 |
| 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 Cleburne, TX earn a median of $77,858 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.74% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.60% below the Texas state average of $78,328.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.43/hr = $46,717/year (purchasing power: $48,663).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,861/year (purchasing power: $81,105).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cleburne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Cleburne grew 17.5% from $30.98/hr (2019) to $36.41/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.48/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 Cleburne 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 Cleburne
Cleburne's occupational therapy assistant workforce can explore various employment structures and their respective pay scales. A part-time occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week can expect an annual income considerably less than that of full-time counterparts, but still substantial when calculated against the cost of living index, which sits below the national average. For their per-diem services, occupational therapy assistants might receive between $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts potentially offering up to $1,700 per week, although the post-2022 reimbursement cuts have tempered earnings in skilled nursing facilities significantly. Employers in Cleburne, including hospitals, schools, and outpatient clinics, often vary their compensation strategies, balancing lower hourly rates with benefits packages that may appeal more to some COTAs than higher wages alone. It’s essential for practitioners to strategically negotiate angles like shifting from hourly to more predictable per diem work, always weighing the implications of health insurance versus higher hourly rates when considering their overarching career goals, including potential COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways.
More salary data for Cleburne, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Cleburne in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Cleburne?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Cleburne paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Cleburne?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Cleburne?
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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 Cleburne. 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 Cleburne 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