Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in San Clemente, CA: $41.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in San Clemente, CA runs $41.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,293 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against San Clemente's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,772 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in San Clemente, California, earn a median hourly pay of $41.48, significantly higher than the national median of $35.74. This hourly rate provides a solid income for those working part-time, such as three days a week, or per diem, which is common in environments like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school systems, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. Entry-level positions start at approximately $28.29 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $52.90 per hour. These hourly figures are estimates derived from annual salary data and reflect the competitive landscape for occupational therapy assistants in this coastal city, where the cost of living is also above average.
About the San Clemente 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) | $28.29 | $226.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.78 | $286.22 |
| Median (P50) | $41.48 | $331.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.53 | $372.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.90 | $423.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Clemente
Based on $41.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.48/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Clemente, CA can expect to earn approximately $86,286 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,781. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Clemente.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Clemente
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,659.35 | $7,191 | $86,286 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $995.61 | $4,314 | $51,772 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $663.74 | $2,876 | $34,515 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (San Clemente) | $41.48 |
| 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 San Clemente, CA earn a median of $86,293 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.09% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.60% below the California state average of $86,813.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.48/hr = $51,772/year (purchasing power: $45,775).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,286/year (purchasing power: $76,292).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in San Clemente (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in San Clemente grew 17.5% from $34.33/hr (2019) to $40.35/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.65/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 San Clemente 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 San Clemente
With this hourly pay structure, a part-time occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week would take home an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. For those pursuing per diem opportunities, typical pay rates range from $30 to $45 per hour, while travel contracts can net COTAs between $1,100 and $1,700 per week. Variance in hourly rates often depends on employer type; for example, skilled nursing facilities might offer less than outpatient clinics or school districts due to tight reimbursements following the 15% Medicare Part B cut. Many COTAs opt for slightly lower-paying positions with benefits, particularly health insurance, which can be a major factor in job selection. Negotiation is crucial in this field, so it’s wise to research pay scales within San Clemente's job market and consider all aspects of compensation when discussing offers.
More salary data for San Clemente, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in San Clemente in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in San Clemente?
Are occupational therapy assistants in San Clemente paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in San Clemente?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in San Clemente?
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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 San Clemente. 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 San Clemente 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