Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Commerce City, CO: $35.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Commerce City, CO runs $35.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,501 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Commerce City's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,702 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Commerce City, CO, can expect a median hourly pay of $35.82, slightly above the national median of $35.74. This rate is particularly significant for part-time workers, who typically operate on schedules that may involve just three days a week, allowing them to maintain a balance between work and personal commitments. Per-diem workers, often engaged in various operational settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits, find that the hourly rates range from $25.88 at entry-level positions to $43.90 for experienced professionals. The estimates are derived from annual salary data, reflecting a dynamic range in compensation tailored to the specific settings and responsibilities of COTAs.
About the Commerce City Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.88 | $207.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.61 | $244.85 |
| Median (P50) | $35.82 | $286.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.11 | $312.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.90 | $351.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Commerce City
Based on $35.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.82/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Commerce City, CO can expect to earn approximately $74,504 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,983. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Commerce City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Commerce City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,432.76 | $6,209 | $74,504 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $859.66 | $3,725 | $44,702 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $573.10 | $2,483 | $29,801 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Commerce City) | $35.82 |
| 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 Commerce City, CO earn a median of $74,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.23% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.00% below the Colorado state average of $76,805.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.82/hr = $44,702/year (purchasing power: $42,573).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,504/year (purchasing power: $70,956).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Commerce City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Commerce City grew 17.5% from $29.64/hr (2019) to $34.84/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.83/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 Commerce City 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 Commerce City
In terms of practical earnings, an occupational therapy assistant working part-time for 24 hours a week could take home approximately $44,017 annually, which offers a different financial perspective compared to full-time roles. Those pursuing per-diem opportunities may earn between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contracts often providing a lucrative weekly billing of $1,100 to $1,700. However, recent changes, such as the 15% Medicare cut impacting OTA-provided services since 2022, could affect hourly wages, particularly in skilled nursing facilities. Within Commerce City, earnings vary significantly across different employer types; for instance, a position in an outpatient clinic might yield different financial benefits compared to a role in a home health agency. Occupational therapy assistants often weigh the trade-offs between accepting lower hourly rates that provide health benefits versus higher rates that lack such coverage. It’s advisable for COTAs in Commerce City to consider negotiating their rates based on the specific environment and services they provide, enhancing their overall earning potential.
More salary data for Commerce City, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Commerce City in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Commerce City?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Commerce City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Commerce City?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Commerce City?
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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 Commerce City. 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 Commerce City 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