Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Spokane, WA: $34.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Spokane, WA runs $34.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,553 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Spokane's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.3, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,535 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Spokane, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $34.88, slightly below the national median of $35.74. This hourly rate makes the profession appealing to both part-time and per diem workers, often finding employment in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. With an hourly range stretching from $28.79 for entry-level positions to $41.27 for top earners, there are ample opportunities for those in the field to adjust their work schedules to fit their personal needs, whether working three days per week or taking on per-diem roles. These figures reflect official data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), ensuring a reliable perspective on compensation trends in this area.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.79 | $230.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.63 | $245.02 |
| Median (P50) | $34.88 | $279.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.81 | $318.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.27 | $330.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Spokane
Based on $34.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.88/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Spokane, WA can expect to earn approximately $72,558 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,860. With a cost-of-living index of 100.35 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Spokane.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Spokane
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,395.34 | $6,046 | $72,558 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $837.20 | $3,628 | $43,535 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $558.13 | $2,419 | $29,023 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Spokane) | $34.88 |
| 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 Spokane, WA earn a median of $72,553 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.39% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 9.10% below the Washington state average of $79,816.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.88/hr = $43,535/year (purchasing power: $43,384).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,558/year (purchasing power: $72,307).
CoL index: 100.346 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Spokane (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Spokane grew 17.5% from $28.88/hr (2019) to $33.93/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.86/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 Spokane 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 Spokane
Considering a part-time position—say, working three days a week for 24 hours—an occupational therapy assistant in Spokane could expect to earn around $43,300 annually, in contrast to full-time colleagues who might bring in higher earnings. Per-diem COTAs can expect to bill an impressive $30-$45 per hour, revealing the attractive flexibility of this work style. Nevertheless, a decline in premium rates for skilled nursing facility COTAs following the 15% Medicare cut may compel some assistants to look for more lucrative alternatives. Hourly rates may differ notably based on employer type; for example, a school district contract might offer different compensation compared to role in an outpatient clinic. Additionally, those willing to accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance often find a balance essential to their overall compensation package. For occupational therapy assistants negotiating pay in Spokane, understanding the local market—combined with a strong awareness of their value—can be key in securing a desirable hourly rate.
More salary data for Spokane, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Spokane in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Spokane?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Spokane 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 Spokane. 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