Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Cottonwood Heights, UT: $34.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Cottonwood Heights, UT runs $34.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,702 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Cottonwood Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,021 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cottonwood Heights, UT, the projected median hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant is $34.47, which is slightly below the national median of $35.74. This pay scale indicates a decent earning capacity for occupational therapy assistants working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For those who work three days a week, which typically means around 24 hours, the total income can provide a comfortable living while still allowing for flexibility in scheduling. The hourly range for this profession in the area varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at about $24.76 and experienced professionals approaching the higher end at around $41.10. These rates reflect estimates derived from annual salary data and represent the working conditions across common settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, schools, outpatient clinics, and home health visits.
About the Cottonwood Heights Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.76 | $198.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.24 | $233.91 |
| Median (P50) | $34.47 | $275.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.15 | $297.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.10 | $328.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cottonwood Heights
Based on $34.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.47/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cottonwood Heights, UT can expect to earn approximately $71,702 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,367. With a cost-of-living index of 98.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cottonwood Heights.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cottonwood Heights
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,378.89 | $5,975 | $71,702 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $827.33 | $3,585 | $43,021 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $551.56 | $2,390 | $28,681 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Cottonwood Heights) | $34.47 |
| 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 Cottonwood Heights, UT earn a median of $71,702 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.54% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.70% below the Utah state average of $72,942.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.47/hr = $43,021/year (purchasing power: $43,855).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,702/year (purchasing power: $73,091).
CoL index: 98.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cottonwood Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Cottonwood Heights grew 17.5% from $28.53/hr (2019) to $33.53/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.44/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 Cottonwood Heights 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 Cottonwood Heights
For part-time occupational therapy assistants, the earnings can amount to approximately $43,000 annually if working 24 hours each week, which remains competitive compared to full-time salaries in the field. Per-diem positions offer a varied and sometimes lucrative alternative, with many COTAs billing $30 to $45 per hour, along with travel contracts that provide between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly. However, post-2022 reimbursement cuts have impacted premium pay rates in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings. Hourly wages can differ substantially based on the employer type; for example, those working in schools or early intervention programs often earn differently compared to their counterparts in home health agencies or hospitals. Many occupational therapy assistants must weigh the trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates with health insurance and job security. When negotiating pay, it’s beneficial for workers in Cottonwood Heights to highlight skills, advancing through COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways, and understand the implications of AOTA standards in their contracts for better leverage in discussions.
More salary data for Cottonwood Heights, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Cottonwood Heights in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Cottonwood Heights?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Cottonwood Heights paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Cottonwood Heights?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Cottonwood Heights?
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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 Cottonwood Heights. 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 Cottonwood Heights 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