Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in The Woodlands, TX: $39.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in The Woodlands, TX runs $39.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,625 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against The Woodlands's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,578 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In The Woodlands, Texas, the median hourly pay for occupational therapy assistants is projected to be $39.73 in 2026, which exceeds the national median of $35.74 by 11.16%. This hourly rate benefits both part-time employees—who may work three days a week, translating to 24 hours—and those in per-diem positions. Many occupational therapy assistants operate in settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and during home health visits. Within The Woodlands, hourly earnings for entry-level assistants start at approximately $28.53, while top earners can reach up to $50.43, reflecting a diverse range of experience levels and job responsibilities in this growing field.
About the The Woodlands 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) | $28.53 | $228.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.00 | $271.99 |
| Median (P50) | $39.73 | $317.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.17 | $353.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.43 | $403.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in The Woodlands
Based on $39.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.73/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in The Woodlands, TX can expect to earn approximately $82,630 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,671. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in The Woodlands.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in The Woodlands
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,589.03 | $6,886 | $82,630 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $953.42 | $4,131 | $49,578 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $635.61 | $2,754 | $33,052 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (The Woodlands) | $39.73 |
| 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 The Woodlands, TX earn a median of $82,625 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.16% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 5.50% above the Texas state average of $78,318.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.73/hr = $49,578/year (purchasing power: $51,644).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,630/year (purchasing power: $86,073).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in The Woodlands (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in The Woodlands grew 17.5% from $32.87/hr (2019) to $38.64/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.84/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 The Woodlands 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 The Woodlands
For part-time occupational therapy assistants in The Woodlands, those working a typical 3-day week could anticipate an annual take-home pay that is significantly less than their full-time counterparts, but still comfortably aligns with local living costs. Per diem roles often come with rates between $30 and $45 per hour, though travel contracts in this field can yield up to $1,700 a week, attracting many COTAs looking for flexible options. Different employer types in The Woodlands—like skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and school districts—often offer varying hourly rates, allowing for some negotiation based on benefits. For instance, accepting a lower hourly rate might be justifiable for those seeking health insurance coverage. Moreover, occupational therapy assistants should be well-versed in negotiating offers, understanding market rates, and assessing their own value in a developing job market that is currently facing adjustments due to the Medicare reimbursement cuts that began affecting funding in 2022.
More salary data for The Woodlands, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in The Woodlands in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in The Woodlands?
Are occupational therapy assistants in The Woodlands paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in The Woodlands?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in The Woodlands?
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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 The Woodlands. 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 The Woodlands 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