Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Baldwin Park, CA: $40.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Baldwin Park, CA runs $40.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,601 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Baldwin Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,758 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Baldwin Park, California, earn a median hourly rate of $40.67, exceeding the national hourly median of $35.74. This competitive pay structure means that COTAs in the area can expect substantial earnings whether they work part-time or in per-diem roles. For instance, professionals working three days a week, in settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, or outpatient clinics, benefit from flexibility while still earning a solid income. Hourly rates for entry-level occupational therapy assistants start around $29.71, whereas top earners can command rates as high as $50.25, enabling individuals to create a work schedule that suits their lifestyle while still enjoying significant financial rewards in Baldwin Park.
About the Baldwin Park Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.71 | $237.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.11 | $272.90 |
| Median (P50) | $40.67 | $325.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.66 | $357.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.25 | $402.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baldwin Park
Based on $40.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.67/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baldwin Park, CA can expect to earn approximately $84,597 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,806. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Baldwin Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baldwin Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,626.87 | $7,050 | $84,597 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $976.12 | $4,230 | $50,758 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $650.75 | $2,820 | $33,839 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Baldwin Park) | $40.67 |
| 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 Baldwin Park, CA earn a median of $84,601 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.82% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.50% below the California state average of $86,771.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.67/hr = $50,758/year (purchasing power: $44,879).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,597/year (purchasing power: $74,798).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Baldwin Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Baldwin Park grew 17.5% from $33.66/hr (2019) to $39.56/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.81/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 Baldwin Park 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 Baldwin Park
Exploring the financial landscape further reveals the annual income potential for those seeking part-time work. A COTA working 24 hours a week would take home an estimated $50,494 annually, significantly less compared to full-time counterparts. Per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Baldwin Park often ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts yielding even higher rates between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly. The varied compensation reflects the different types of employers, including skilled nursing facilities where hourly pay may be lower due to recent reimbursement cuts, compared to outpatient clinics that might offer better financial prospects. Additionally, some COTAs might opt for slightly lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance. Negotiating hourly pay effectively can hinge on understanding the local demand and employer offerings. Therefore, familiarity with the health care landscape and awareness of reimbursement trends can boost an occupational therapy assistant's negotiating power in Baldwin Park.
More salary data for Baldwin Park, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Baldwin Park in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Baldwin Park?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Baldwin Park paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Baldwin Park?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Baldwin Park?
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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 Baldwin Park. 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 Baldwin Park 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