Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Reston, VA: $37.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Reston, VA runs $37.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,174 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Reston's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,306 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Reston, Virginia, the projected median hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant is $37.10, which surpasses the national median of $35.74. This attractive rate presents appealing opportunities for both part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants, often employed in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation hospitals, and even home health care. An entry-level occupational therapy assistant can expect to earn around $27.32 per hour, while top earners in the field may reach up to $46.07 per hour. These hourly rates reflect an industry that compensates COTAs well, considering that they primarily work under the supervision of licensed occupational therapists and are critical to patient recovery and rehabilitation processes.
About the Reston Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.32 | $218.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.07 | $256.53 |
| Median (P50) | $37.10 | $296.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.90 | $327.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.07 | $368.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Reston
Based on $37.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.10/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Reston, VA can expect to earn approximately $77,177 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,525. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Reston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Reston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,484.17 | $6,431 | $77,177 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $890.50 | $3,859 | $46,306 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $593.67 | $2,573 | $30,871 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Reston) | $37.10 |
| 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 Reston, VA earn a median of $77,174 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.82% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.20% below the Virginia state average of $78,910.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.10/hr = $46,306/year (purchasing power: $44,870).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,177/year (purchasing power: $74,784).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Reston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Reston grew 17.5% from $30.70/hr (2019) to $36.09/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.15/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 Reston 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 Reston
For those seeking part-time work as an occupational therapy assistant in Reston, taking on a three-day-per-week schedule can yield substantial earnings, allowing for an estimated annual income of around $46,176, significantly lower than what a full-time position could offer. However, many occupational therapy assistants find per-diem roles appealing, with pay usually ranging between $30 and $45 per hour, depending on the employer type. Travel contracts for COTAs can be particularly lucrative, offering weekly compensation of $1,100 to $1,700, yet agency pay has seen declines in recent years due to the aftermath of the 15% Medicare cut impacting OTA services. As hourly rates can vary significantly based on the work environment—ranging from school districts to outpatient clinics—occupational therapy assistants must evaluate their priorities, including health insurance benefits versus higher hourly rates without benefits, in their negotiations for pay and work conditions in Reston.
More salary data for Reston, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Reston. 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 Reston 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