Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Federal Way, WA: $38.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Federal Way, WA runs $38.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,111 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Federal Way's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,461 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Federal Way, Washington, can expect a median hourly pay of $38.03, surpassing the national average of $35.74. This elevated hourly rate signifies a positive opportunity for both part-time workers who might work three days per week and per-diem employees who are engaged in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, schools, and home health. Entry-level positions typically start around $27.06 per hour, while top earners can reach as high as $47.74, illustrating a broad pay scale within the profession, reflective of varying experience levels and specific employer needs. These estimates are drawn from annual salary data and highlight the supportive financial climate for those in this role.
About the Federal Way Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.06 | $216.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.24 | $257.93 |
| Median (P50) | $38.03 | $304.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.98 | $335.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.74 | $381.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Federal Way
Based on $38.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.03/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Federal Way, WA can expect to earn approximately $79,101 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,635. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Federal Way.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Federal Way
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,521.18 | $6,592 | $79,101 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $912.71 | $3,955 | $47,461 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $608.47 | $2,637 | $31,640 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Federal Way) | $38.03 |
| 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 Federal Way, WA earn a median of $79,111 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.43% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $79,830.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.03/hr = $47,461/year (purchasing power: $44,191).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,101/year (purchasing power: $73,651).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Federal Way (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Federal Way grew 17.5% from $31.47/hr (2019) to $36.99/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.10/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 Federal Way 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 Federal Way
Considering part-time work, an occupational therapy assistant in Federal Way working a 3-day week (24 hours) can expect to bring home approximately $47,264 annually, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. For those in per-diem roles, compensation ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts offering weekly pay between $1,100 and $1,700. However, factors like the recent 15% cut to Medicare reimbursements for OTA services can affect pay rates, particularly in skilled nursing facilities. Hourly rates also vary across different employer types, with school districts and outpatient clinics often providing lower pay compared to hospital or home health settings. Some COTAs might choose to accept lower hourly rates for security in benefits, while others prefer higher hourly rates without those perks. When negotiating in the Federal Way market, occupational therapy assistants should emphasize their unique experience and specialized skills to position themselves favorably against the competition.
More salary data for Federal Way, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Federal Way in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Federal Way?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Federal Way paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Federal Way?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Federal Way?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 Federal Way. 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 Federal Way 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