Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Friendswood, TX: $36.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Friendswood, TX runs $36.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,706 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Friendswood's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,421 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Friendswood, Texas, the hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant is projected at $36.39 in 2026, placing it slightly above the national hourly median of $35.74. This competitive rate provides a solid foundation for part-time and per-diem work, which are prevalent in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, and outpatient clinics. Workers often find themselves earning between $28.00 and $44.54 per hour, depending on their experience and the specific demands of their roles. For a part-time occupational therapy assistant, typically working three days a week, this hourly wage can translate into reliable weekly income, making it an appealing option for those seeking flexibility in their careers while working under the supervision of licensed occupational therapists.
About the Friendswood 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) | $28.00 | $223.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.32 | $258.59 |
| Median (P50) | $36.39 | $291.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.83 | $318.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.54 | $356.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Friendswood
Based on $36.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.39/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Friendswood, TX can expect to earn approximately $75,701 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,674. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Friendswood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Friendswood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,455.79 | $6,308 | $75,701 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $873.47 | $3,785 | $45,421 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $582.32 | $2,523 | $30,280 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Friendswood) | $36.39 |
| 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 Friendswood, TX earn a median of $75,706 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.85% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.30% below the Texas state average of $78,290.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.39/hr = $45,421/year (purchasing power: $47,313).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,701/year (purchasing power: $78,855).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Friendswood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Friendswood grew 17.5% from $30.12/hr (2019) to $35.40/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.42/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 Friendswood 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 Friendswood
Looking more closely at the earning potential for a part-time occupational therapy assistant in Friendswood, it's crucial to consider the financial implications of working 24 hours a week. Such a schedule allows for annual earnings that still support a comfortable lifestyle, albeit compared to full-time employment's consistent output. Per diem positions in this field often yield varied pay rates, where therapists might find themselves billing $30-$45 per hour or earning contract rates upwards of $1,100-$1,700 per week for travel work. However, post-2022 reimbursement cuts have led to declining premium pay in skilled nursing facilities, pushing practitioners to weigh options carefully. Professionals may accept lower hourly wages that include benefits in some roles versus higher pay sans benefits in others. Negotiation strategies become vital in this environment—emphasizing experience, additional certifications, or flexibility with scheduling can be key to securing a more favorable hourly rate within Friendswood's diverse occupational therapy assistive landscape.
More salary data for Friendswood, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Friendswood in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Friendswood?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Friendswood paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Friendswood?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Friendswood?
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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 Friendswood. 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 Friendswood 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