Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Edinburg, TX: $35.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Edinburg, TX runs $35.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,970 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Edinburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,381 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Edinburg, TX, earn a median hourly pay of $35.56, showcasing a competitive wage close to the national median of $35.74. This salary reflects the potential for part-time and per-diem workers to thrive in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. With an hourly range spanning from $25.01 for entry-level positions to $44.27 for experienced professionals, those entering the field can expect to find substantial opportunities for growth and advancement, even as they navigate a competitive job market where operational costs and health funding changes impact available positions.
About the Edinburg 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) | $25.01 | $200.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.93 | $239.42 |
| Median (P50) | $35.56 | $284.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.81 | $318.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.27 | $354.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Edinburg
Based on $35.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.56/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Edinburg, TX can expect to earn approximately $73,969 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,674. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Edinburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Edinburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,422.48 | $6,164 | $73,969 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $853.49 | $3,698 | $44,381 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $568.99 | $2,466 | $29,588 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Edinburg) | $35.56 |
| 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 Edinburg, TX earn a median of $73,970 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.49% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.60% below the Texas state average of $78,358.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.56/hr = $44,381/year (purchasing power: $46,231).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,969/year (purchasing power: $77,051).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Edinburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Edinburg grew 17.5% from $29.43/hr (2019) to $34.59/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.56/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 Edinburg 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 Edinburg
For part-time occupational therapy assistants in Edinburg, working a 3-day week would yield around $44,157 annually, which provides a substantial income for those balancing other commitments. Per-diem and agency COTAs typically see rates that range from $30 to $45 an hour, with travel contracts offering between $1,100 and $1,700 per week. However, the decline in premium agency pay following the 2022 15% Medicare reimbursement cut has altered the landscape, pushing some assistants toward alternative employer types, such as outpatient clinics or school districts. It's essential for occupational therapy assistants to weigh job benefits like healthcare coverage against higher hourly rates from positions that lack such perks. Negotiating for better pay is crucial; being informed about local pay scales and leveraging unique skills can give job seekers an advantage in Edinburg’s employment market.
More salary data for Edinburg, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Edinburg in 2026?
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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 Edinburg. 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 Edinburg 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