Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Riverton, UT: $33.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Riverton, UT runs $33.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,076 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Riverton's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,443 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Riverton, UT, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $33.21 by 2026. This figure falls below the national hourly median of $35.74, suggesting localized economic factors may affect compensation levels. For those pursuing part-time opportunities, such as working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a substantial, steady income while still allowing for flexibility. The typical environments for occupational therapy assistants include skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, school districts, outpatient clinics, and home health settings. With an hourly range from $23.59 at entry-level positions to $39.36 for more experienced practitioners, the earning potential in Riverton appears competitive but reflects the broader regional economic context. These rates are derived from annual salary estimates, emphasizing the remuneration that COTAs can expect in their work across various employment settings.
About the Riverton 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) | $23.59 | $188.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.94 | $223.55 |
| Median (P50) | $33.21 | $265.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.56 | $284.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.36 | $314.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Riverton
Based on $33.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.21/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Riverton, UT can expect to earn approximately $69,072 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,849. With a cost-of-living index of 98.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Riverton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Riverton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,328.31 | $5,756 | $69,072 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $796.98 | $3,454 | $41,443 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $531.32 | $2,302 | $27,629 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Riverton) | $33.21 |
| 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 Riverton, UT earn a median of $69,076 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.07% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.30% below the Utah state average of $72,942.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.21/hr = $41,443/year (purchasing power: $42,246).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,072/year (purchasing power: $70,410).
CoL index: 98.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Riverton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Riverton grew 17.5% from $27.48/hr (2019) to $32.30/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.14/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 Riverton 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 Riverton
Part-time occupational therapy assistants in Riverton can see their take-home pay vary significantly based on their schedule. For example, a COTA working three days a week (24 hours) could earn an annual income around $41,081, compared to someone working full-time, who would make approximately $69,076 in total. Moreover, per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Riverton typically ranges between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contracts often netting between $1,100 and $1,700 per week. However, it's essential to note that agency COTAs may experience reduced premium pay due to recent cutbacks in Medicare reimbursement rates from 2022. Hourly rates can fluctuate even further depending on the type of employer: skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, or public school systems may all offer different compensation structures. Some occupational therapy assistants may opt for lower hourly wages if it means gaining benefits such as health insurance, highlighting the complex decisions that professionals face. Negotiation skills can prove invaluable, as COTAs can enhance their earning potential by researching industry standards and being open about their worth in Riverton's employment market.
More salary data for Riverton, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Riverton in 2026?
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Are occupational therapy assistants in Riverton paid hourly or salary?
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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 Riverton. 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 Riverton 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