Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Murphy, TX: $34.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Murphy, TX runs $34.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,405 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Murphy's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,445 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Murphy, TX earn a median hourly rate of $34.81, which is slightly lower than the national median of $35.74. This hourly wage provides significant earning potential for both part-time and per-diem workers, particularly in busy settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, or outpatient clinics. For example, a part-time COTA working three days a week can expect an income that is competitive even when factoring in the hourly range from $27.01 for entry-level positions to $41.54 for those at the top of their field. The variability in pay reflects the diverse environments COTAs can work in, including school therapy rooms and home health visits, where the demand for services can influence hourly compensation.
About the Murphy 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) | $27.01 | $216.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.84 | $246.74 |
| Median (P50) | $34.81 | $278.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.76 | $302.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.54 | $332.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Murphy
Based on $34.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.81/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Murphy, TX can expect to earn approximately $72,408 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,774. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Murphy.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Murphy
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,392.46 | $6,034 | $72,408 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $835.48 | $3,620 | $43,445 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $556.98 | $2,414 | $28,963 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Murphy) | $34.81 |
| 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 Murphy, TX earn a median of $72,405 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.59% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.60% below the Texas state average of $78,360.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.81/hr = $43,445/year (purchasing power: $45,255).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,408/year (purchasing power: $75,425).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Murphy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Murphy grew 17.5% from $28.81/hr (2019) to $33.86/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.79/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 Murphy 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 Murphy
In terms of part-time earnings, a COTA working an average of 24 hours per week could generate a respectable annual income compared to full-time counterparts. The per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Murphy often sees workers billing between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contracts offering weekly compensation ranging from $1,100 to $1,700. However, the recent decline in premium pay for agency COTAs in skilled nursing facilities due to the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut has changed the landscape for many in this field. Variations also exist based on the employer type; for example, school districts and home health agencies may offer different hourly rates versus hospital settings. For those seeking employment, negotiating pay can leverage the specific types of benefits offered, as some professionals may choose slightly lower hourly wages for access to health insurance or retirement plans, emphasizing the balance between pay and benefits in their career decisions.
More salary data for Murphy, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Murphy in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Murphy?
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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 Murphy. 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 Murphy 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