Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Salt Lake City, UT: $35.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Salt Lake City, UT runs $35.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,427 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Salt Lake City's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,061 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Salt Lake City is projected to be $35.30, which is slightly below the national median of $35.74. This competitive hourly rate enables occupational therapy assistants working in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics to maintain a viable income. For part-time roles, such as those working three days a week, the earnings can still be substantial, impacting their overall financial stability, especially when considering home health visits or school therapy services. The hourly compensation ranges from $19.77 for entry-level positions to $55.41 for top earners, reflecting variations in experience and specific practice environments. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlights the potential earnings landscape for occupational therapy assistants in UT.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.77 | $158.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.59 | $244.69 |
| Median (P50) | $35.30 | $282.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.09 | $296.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.41 | $443.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salt Lake City
Based on $35.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.30/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salt Lake City, UT can expect to earn approximately $73,434 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,366. With a cost-of-living index of 100.87 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salt Lake City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salt Lake City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,412.20 | $6,120 | $73,434 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $847.32 | $3,672 | $44,061 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $564.88 | $2,448 | $29,374 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Salt Lake City) | $35.30 |
| 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 Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $73,427 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.22% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.70% above the Utah state average of $72,916.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.30/hr = $44,061/year (purchasing power: $43,681).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,434/year (purchasing power: $72,802).
CoL index: 100.868 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Salt Lake City grew 16.3% from $29.53/hr (2019) to $34.34/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.30/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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
In evaluating the financial implications of being an occupational therapy assistant in Salt Lake City, part-time employees working approximately 24 hours a week could expect to take home around $43,800 annually. This contrasts with full-time earnings, which typically allow for a more stable income and benefits. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Salt Lake City can vary significantly; many professionals find themselves billing anywhere from $30 to $45 per hour. Contracted travel COTAs may benefit from weekly earnings between $1,100 and $1,700, although the decline in agency premium pay post-2022 adjustments has changed the dynamics in skilled nursing facilities. Such variances underscore the importance of understanding employer types in the area, including outpatient clinics, early intervention programs, and school district contracts that may offer different compensation rates. As occupational therapy assistants navigate their pay options, knowing how to negotiate effectively for hourly rates, particularly in Salt Lake City, can be key. Some may choose positions with lower hourly rates for the sake of health benefits, while others prioritize higher hourly wage opportunities that forgo these perks.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Salt Lake City in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Salt Lake City?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Salt Lake City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Salt Lake City?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Salt Lake City?
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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 Salt Lake City. 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, 7-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