Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Riverside, CA: $39.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Riverside, CA runs $39.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,320 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Riverside's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.4, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,398 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Riverside, California, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected to be $39.58 in 2026, outpacing the national hourly median of $35.74 by 10.75%. This competitive wage offers substantial opportunities for part-time employees working in skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, and outpatient clinic spaces. For individuals on a part-time schedule, such as those working three days a week, the financial returns become quite appealing, especially when considering the job's potential for flexible hours. The hourly pay ranges from $32.46 at the entry-level to $48.60 for more experienced practitioners, highlighting the prospects for upward mobility within the profession. These figures are drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, ensuring that job seekers can have a reliable framework for understanding their expected earnings in the region.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.46 | $259.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.67 | $301.36 |
| Median (P50) | $39.58 | $316.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.24 | $337.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.60 | $388.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Riverside
Based on $39.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.58/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Riverside, CA can expect to earn approximately $82,330 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,498. With a cost-of-living index of 106.44 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Riverside.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Riverside
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,583.27 | $6,861 | $82,330 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $949.96 | $4,117 | $49,398 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $633.31 | $2,744 | $32,932 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Riverside) | $39.58 |
| 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 Riverside, CA earn a median of $82,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.75% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 5.10% below the California state average of $86,744.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.58/hr = $49,398/year (purchasing power: $46,409).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,330/year (purchasing power: $77,348).
CoL index: 106.442 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Riverside grew 9.5% from $35.16/hr (2019) to $38.50/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.69/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 Riverside 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 Riverside
Part-time occupational therapy assistants in Riverside can expect to earn around $61,882 annually when working a standard 3-day, 24-hour workweek, which can be quite lucrative compared to other local employment options. However, many choose the per-diem route, where they can expect to earn between $30 and $45 hourly. With travel contracts earning between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly, some prefer this flexibility, despite its variability. Hourly rates can fluctuate significantly based on work settings; for instance, skilled nursing facilities may offer lower rates, while hospital and outpatient clinic positions could come with benefits that attract candidates despite potentially lower pay. When negotiating pay in Riverside, occupational therapy assistants need to weigh the benefits of higher hourly rates against job security and health insurance options. It’s advisable to stay informed about current employer funding, especially since the impact of the 15% Medicare Part B cut has affected compensation in various settings, especially in skilled nursing facilities.
More salary data for Riverside, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Riverside in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Riverside?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Riverside paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Riverside?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Riverside?
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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 Riverside. 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