Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Baltimore, MD: $40.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Baltimore, MD runs $40.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,942 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Baltimore's regional price level (BEA RPP 104.5, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $39.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,963 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the **occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Baltimore** is projected to be $40.84, significantly surpassing the national median of $35.74. This competitive hourly rate allows part-time workers, such as those working three days a week in various therapeutic environments, to earn a respectable income while accommodating other life commitments. Per-diem occupational therapy assistants also find viable opportunities, with average billing rates between $30 and $45 per hour. The hourly pay range varies from $32.43 for entry-level positions to $43.95 for more experienced therapists, offering potential upward mobility and compensation reflective of experience and expertise. Officially sourced from BLS data, these figures underscore the growing demand for COTAs in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, and outpatient clinics throughout the city.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.43 | $259.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.90 | $295.19 |
| Median (P50) | $40.84 | $326.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.37 | $330.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.95 | $351.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baltimore
Based on $40.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.84/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baltimore, MD can expect to earn approximately $84,939 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,003. With a cost-of-living index of 104.49 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Baltimore.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baltimore
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,633.45 | $7,078 | $84,939 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $980.07 | $4,247 | $50,963 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $653.38 | $2,831 | $33,976 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Baltimore) | $40.84 |
| 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 Baltimore, MD earn a median of $84,942 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.27% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 4.60% above the Maryland state average of $81,206.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.84/hr = $50,963/year (purchasing power: $48,775).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,939/year (purchasing power: $81,292).
CoL index: 104.487 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Baltimore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Baltimore grew 34.5% from $29.53/hr (2019) to $39.72/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.98/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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore
Evaluating the part-time earning potential for a 24-hour workweek, a Baltimore occupational therapy assistant can anticipate an annual take-home that diverges substantially from their full-time counterparts. Per-diem opportunities often cater to personal schedules but can fluctuate widely based on demand and location; travel COTAs might secure weekly contracts ranging from $1,100 to $1,700, yet may face fluctuations in pay due to recent policy changes impacting reimbursement rates. Hourly rates can vary considerably by employer type; for instance, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health agencies each offer distinct pay scales reflecting their operational needs. Many professionals in the field may choose to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, or alternatively, they may pursue higher pay without such benefits. When negotiating position offers, it can be advantageous to emphasize flexible scheduling options or specialized skill sets characteristic of emerging therapy practices in Baltimore's healthcare framework.
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Baltimore in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Baltimore?
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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 Baltimore. 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