Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Urban Honolulu, HI: $35.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Urban Honolulu, HI runs $35.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,982 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Urban Honolulu's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.0, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,394 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Urban Honolulu, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay averages $35.57, which closely aligns with the national median hourly rate of $35.74. This hourly income presents an appealing option for both full-time and part-time workers across various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. For those considering part-time roles, working three days a week could yield a substantial income while maintaining flexibility. The hourly wage ranges from $32.46 at the entry-level P10 to $38.25 for top earners at the P90 level, reflecting the diverse pay scale available for occupational therapy assistants in the urban landscape of HI. These figures come from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, ensuring their accuracy and relevance.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.46 | $259.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.46 | $259.66 |
| Median (P50) | $35.57 | $284.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.94 | $303.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.25 | $305.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urban Honolulu
Based on $35.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.57/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urban Honolulu, HI can expect to earn approximately $73,990 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,687. With a cost-of-living index of 110.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Urban Honolulu.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urban Honolulu
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,422.89 | $6,166 | $73,990 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $853.73 | $3,700 | $44,394 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $569.16 | $2,466 | $29,596 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Urban Honolulu) | $35.57 |
| 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 Urban Honolulu, HI earn a median of $73,982 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.47% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 16.60% below the Hawaii state average of $88,708.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.57/hr = $44,394/year (purchasing power: $40,009).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,990/year (purchasing power: $66,681).
CoL index: 110.961 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Urban Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Urban Honolulu grew 19.5% from $28.95/hr (2019) to $34.60/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.57/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 Urban Honolulu 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 Urban Honolulu
Exploring the earning potential further reveals insights for part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants in Urban Honolulu. A COTA working 24 hours a week could anticipate an annual take-home pay significantly lower than their full-time counterparts due to reduced hours. For those in per-diem roles, the earnings can vary; while hourly pay could range from $30 to $45, travel contracts might offer weekly rates of $1,100 to $1,700. The competitive landscape varies by employer type, where skilled nursing facilities, rehabs, and outpatient clinics may offer differing rates due to their budget constraints, particularly post-2022 reimbursement cuts affecting Medicare services. Many COTAs must weigh the benefits of a higher hourly rate against the stability of health insurance and other benefits provided by full-time positions. When negotiating pay in Urban Honolulu, understanding the local market and leveraging your qualifications can lead to more favorable compensation outcomes, particularly given the context of COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways and the evolving landscape regulated by AOTA and NBCOT.
More salary data for Urban Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Urban Honolulu in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Urban Honolulu?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Urban Honolulu paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Urban Honolulu?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Urban Honolulu?
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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 Urban Honolulu. 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