Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Suffolk, VA: $37.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Suffolk, VA runs $37.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,594 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Suffolk's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,563 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Suffolk, Virginia, command a competitive median hourly rate of $37.31, surpassing the national hourly median of $35.74 by approximately 4.39%. This means that those working part-time—especially in typical environments like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, or outpatient clinics—can expect a solid income basis, whether they operate 3 days a week or more sporadically as per-diem workers. For entry-level positions, the hourly pay begins at around $27.79, while top earners can reach $48.07 hourly. Beyond these figures, it's important to note that these hourly rates are projected estimates derived from annual salary data, reflecting Suffolk's regional employment dynamics.
About the Suffolk 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) | $27.79 | $222.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.48 | $259.82 |
| Median (P50) | $37.31 | $298.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.93 | $319.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.07 | $384.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Suffolk
Based on $37.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.31/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Suffolk, VA can expect to earn approximately $77,604 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,772. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Suffolk.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Suffolk
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,492.39 | $6,467 | $77,604 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $895.43 | $3,880 | $46,563 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $596.96 | $2,587 | $31,042 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Suffolk) | $37.31 |
| 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 Suffolk, VA earn a median of $77,594 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.39% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.70% below the Virginia state average of $78,936.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.31/hr = $46,563/year (purchasing power: $45,119).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,604/year (purchasing power: $75,198).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Suffolk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Suffolk grew 17.5% from $30.87/hr (2019) to $36.29/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.36/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 Suffolk 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 Suffolk
When considering the financial landscape for occupational therapy assistants, part-time professionals working 24 hours a week might bring home roughly $46,730 annually, considerably less than full-time counterparts. For those opting for per-diem roles, which are increasingly common in Suffolk, the pay can fluctuate between $30 to $45 per hour, aligning well with agency contracts that range from $1,100 to $1,700 per week for travel positions. However, the recent 15% cut to Medicare reimbursements has led to decreased premium pay in skilled nursing facilities. Pay rates may vary markedly depending on employer type, with many COTAs sacrificing higher hourly rates in exchange for health benefits offered through full-time positions. For effective negotiation on hourly pay in Suffolk, highlighting specialized skills or certifications can provide leverage in salary discussions, making a difference in an evolving job market influenced by existing healthcare policies and compensation trends.
More salary data for Suffolk, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Suffolk in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Suffolk?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Suffolk paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Suffolk?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Suffolk?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 Suffolk. 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 Suffolk 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