Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Wylie, TX: $37.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Wylie, TX runs $37.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,869 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Wylie's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,717 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wylie, Texas, occupational therapy assistants earn a median hourly pay of $37.43, surpassing the national median of $35.74. This competitive rate is significant for part-time and per-diem workers who often work in settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, outpatient clinics, or even in-home health visits. Entry-level positions in the occupational therapy assistant role start around $25.40 per hour, while experienced professionals can reach up to $45.43 per hour. These figures provide a framework for expectations in Wylie and are derived from projected annual salary estimates, making them relevant for COTAs considering a shift to part-time or per-diem work dynamics.
About the Wylie 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) | $25.40 | $203.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.84 | $246.74 |
| Median (P50) | $37.43 | $299.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.52 | $324.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.43 | $363.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wylie
Based on $37.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.43/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wylie, TX can expect to earn approximately $77,861 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,920. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wylie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wylie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,497.32 | $6,488 | $77,861 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $898.39 | $3,893 | $46,717 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $598.93 | $2,595 | $31,144 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Wylie) | $37.43 |
| 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 Wylie, TX earn a median of $77,869 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.76% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.60% below the Texas state average of $78,339.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.43/hr = $46,717/year (purchasing power: $48,663).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,861/year (purchasing power: $81,105).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wylie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Wylie grew 17.5% from $30.98/hr (2019) to $36.41/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.48/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 Wylie 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 Wylie
For part-time occupational therapy assistants working three days a week, or 24 hours, the financial implications differ markedly from full-time employment. While a full-time assistant may reap all the benefits of stable income, the part-time worker takes home a sizable annual income, lacking some of the traditional job securities. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Wylie typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, but it is essential to note that travel contracts can offer considerably higher earnings, often between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly. The role's hourly rate can vary extensively across settings, with factors such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and school districts influencing compensation. Some occupational therapy assistants may accept lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance benefits, while others may prioritize a higher hourly rate without benefits. To effectively negotiate pay in Wylie, understanding the nuances of employer types and current market salaries, especially post-2022 reimbursement cuts, will serve prospective COTAs well.
More salary data for Wylie, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Wylie in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Wylie?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Wylie paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Wylie?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Wylie?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 Wylie. 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 Wylie 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