Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Bartlesville, OK: $31.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Bartlesville, OK runs $31.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,830 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Bartlesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,903 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bartlesville, Oklahoma, the projected median hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant in 2026 is $31.17, which falls below the national median of $35.74 for the same role. This discrepancy can significantly influence part-time and per-diem workers, particularly those operating in varied therapy environments, such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, and outpatient clinics. For instance, a part-time occupational therapy assistant working three days a week may find their hourly pay quite competitive, particularly at the entry-level range of $22.27, while experienced professionals may reach up to $38.96 per hour. The hourly rates are drawn from annual salary estimates and reflect the growing demand for COTAs within Oklahoma, despite the economic pressures stemming from changes in Medicare reimbursements for OTA services.
About the Bartlesville Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.27 | $178.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.34 | $210.72 |
| Median (P50) | $31.17 | $249.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.84 | $262.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.96 | $311.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bartlesville
Based on $31.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.17/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bartlesville, OK can expect to earn approximately $64,838 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,406. With a cost-of-living index of 88.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bartlesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bartlesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,246.88 | $5,403 | $64,838 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $748.13 | $3,242 | $38,903 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $498.75 | $2,161 | $25,935 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Bartlesville) | $31.17 |
| 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 Bartlesville, OK earn a median of $64,830 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.78% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.90% below the Oklahoma state average of $66,086.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.17/hr = $38,903/year (purchasing power: $43,760).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,838/year (purchasing power: $72,933).
CoL index: 88.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bartlesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Bartlesville grew 17.5% from $25.80/hr (2019) to $30.32/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.05/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 Bartlesville 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 Bartlesville
Considering the part-time earning potential, a COTA working 24 hours per week in Bartlesville could take home around $40,000 annually, which contrasts sharply with full-time opportunities that offer greater financial security. Furthermore, per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Bartlesville typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, and travel contracts could yield weekly earnings between $1,100 and $1,700. The variability in hourly compensation often stems from the type of employer—skilled nursing facilities might pay lower rates compared to outpatient clinics, which can afford to offer more competitive pay. It's worth considering the trade-offs for benefits, as some assistants may opt for lower hourly wages if it includes health insurance. Effective negotiation strategies, such as detailing qualifications and expressing flexibility in hours, can enhance an occupational therapy assistant's hourly worth in Bartlesville's fluctuating market.
More salary data for Bartlesville, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Bartlesville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Bartlesville?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Bartlesville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Bartlesville?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Bartlesville?
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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 Bartlesville. 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 Bartlesville 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