Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Provo, UT: $30.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Provo, UT runs $30.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,002 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Provo's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.2, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,799 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Provo, Utah, stands at a median of $30.29, which is notably lower than the national median of $35.74. This differential signifies the financial landscape for various workers in the field, especially impacting those who work part-time or as per-diem providers. For professionals in this sector, the typical work environments include skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits, which offer different rates. Entry-level occupational therapy assistants may earn around $24.67 per hour, while experienced top earners can make as much as $39.91, reflecting the broad competitive landscape across different facilities. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, giving aspiring COTAs insight into the wages they can expect in Provo.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.67 | $197.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.99 | $207.92 |
| Median (P50) | $30.29 | $242.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.44 | $283.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.91 | $319.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Provo
Based on $30.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.29/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Provo, UT can expect to earn approximately $62,999 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,345. With a cost-of-living index of 98.23 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Provo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Provo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,211.51 | $5,250 | $62,999 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $726.91 | $3,150 | $37,799 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $484.61 | $2,100 | $25,199 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Provo) | $30.29 |
| 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 Provo, UT earn a median of $63,002 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.24% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 13.60% below the Utah state average of $72,919.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.29/hr = $37,799/year (purchasing power: $38,480).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,999/year (purchasing power: $64,133).
CoL index: 98.232 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Provo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Provo grew 13.7% from $25.91/hr (2019) to $29.46/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.14/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 Provo 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 Provo
A part-time occupational therapy assistant who works three days a week can earn approximately $37,600 per year, considerably less than a full-time counterpart. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Provo often ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, but professionals taking on travel contracts can earn between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly. However, after the 15% Medicare cut effective in 2022, many skilled nursing facility positions have seen reduced pay. Hourly rates often vary significantly based on the type of employer; skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab may offer lower hourly rates compared to outpatient clinics and home health agencies, which can afford to pay more. Occupational therapy assistants may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others might prioritize a higher hourly pay without those benefits. When negotiating hourly rates in Provo, COTAs should consider local trends, the specific demands of their positions, and leverage state rules surrounding supervision under licensed occupational therapists in their discussions.
More salary data for Provo, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Provo in 2026?
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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 Provo. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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