Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in South Valley, NM: $32.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in South Valley, NM runs $32.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,952 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against South Valley's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,776 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in South Valley, NM, earn a median hourly rate of $32.67, which is slightly below the national median of $35.74. This salary translates to varied opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers in different clinical settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, and outpatient clinics. The hourly pay scale ranges from $22.67 for entry-level positions to $40.01 for top earners, enabling occupational therapy assistants to find employment that aligns with their experience and career aspirations. These projections for 2026 illustrate a lucrative avenue for dedicated professionals in a vibrant community, capitalizing on the essential support they provide under the supervision of licensed occupational therapists.
About the South Valley Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.67 | $181.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.08 | $232.68 |
| Median (P50) | $32.67 | $261.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.87 | $286.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.01 | $320.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Valley
Based on $32.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.67/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Valley, NM can expect to earn approximately $67,960 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,208. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Valley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Valley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,306.92 | $5,663 | $67,960 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $784.15 | $3,398 | $40,776 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $522.77 | $2,265 | $27,184 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (South Valley) | $32.67 |
| 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 South Valley, NM earn a median of $67,952 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.58% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.20% below the New Mexico state average of $70,199.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.67/hr = $40,776/year (purchasing power: $43,195).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,960/year (purchasing power: $71,991).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in South Valley grew 17.5% from $27.04/hr (2019) to $31.78/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.59/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 South Valley 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 South Valley
When considering part-time work, an occupational therapy assistant in South Valley averaging 24 hours per week would earn significantly less annually compared to full-time colleagues, impacting their overall financial stability. Per-diem roles are prevalent, with rates typically ranging from $30 to $45 per hour, and even higher pay can be found in travel COTA contracts, which can run between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly. However, some COTAs may trade higher hourly wages for the security of health benefits, particularly in skilled nursing facilities post-2022 reimbursement cuts that adjusted pay rates across the board. Rates can differ based on employer type, where, for instance, a school district contract may offer more stability despite lower hourly compensation. For those working in South Valley, understanding these dynamics and honing negotiation skills are essential for securing competitive occupational therapy assistant hourly pay.
More salary data for South Valley, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in South Valley in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in South Valley?
Are occupational therapy assistants in South Valley paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in South Valley?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in South Valley?
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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 South Valley. 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 South Valley 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