Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Galveston, TX: $37.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Galveston, TX runs $37.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,564 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Galveston's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,140 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Galveston, Texas, occupational therapy assistants can expect a median hourly pay of $37.77, which aligns favorably against the national average of $35.74. This rate provides a solid income for part-time workers, such as those clocking in three days a week—allowing for flexibility in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health environments. With a range spanning from $26.29 for entry-level positions to $46.42 for top earners, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Galveston reflects the competitive market driven by local demand and the diverse needs of service providers.
About the Galveston 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) | $26.29 | $210.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.52 | $252.17 |
| Median (P50) | $37.77 | $302.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.32 | $330.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.42 | $371.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Galveston
Based on $37.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.77/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Galveston, TX can expect to earn approximately $78,567 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,327. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Galveston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Galveston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,510.90 | $6,547 | $78,567 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $906.54 | $3,928 | $47,140 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $604.36 | $2,619 | $31,427 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Galveston) | $37.77 |
| 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 Galveston, TX earn a median of $78,564 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.69% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.30% above the Texas state average of $78,329.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.77/hr = $47,140/year (purchasing power: $49,104).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,567/year (purchasing power: $81,840).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Galveston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Galveston grew 17.5% from $31.26/hr (2019) to $36.74/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.83/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 Galveston 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 Galveston
Part-time occupational therapy assistants working 3 days a week (approximately 24 hours) can anticipate a take-home income that significantly differs from full-time annual earnings. Typically, those in per diem roles are able to command hourly wages ranging from $30 to $45, depending on the employer and the type of services offered. COTAs taking agency or travel gigs may find contracts that pay $1,100 to $1,700 weekly, allowing for greater flexibility and higher earnings, albeit with potential downsides like lack of job security and benefits. Other factors influencing pay include practice settings; for example, skilled nursing facilities may offer lower rates compared to outpatient clinics or home health agencies, particularly after the Medicare Part B cut in 2022, which affected reimbursement levels. Negotiating hourly wages in Galveston can hinge on the type of facilities and employment conditions, with trade-offs between pay levels and available benefits. Understanding the local job market dynamics remains key for occupational therapy assistants aiming to optimize their earnings.
More salary data for Galveston, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Galveston in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Galveston?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Galveston paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Galveston?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Galveston?
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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 Galveston. 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 Galveston 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