Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Johnstown, PA: $27.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Johnstown, PA runs $27.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,697 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Johnstown's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,617 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, averages $27.74, significantly lower than the national average of $35.74 per hour. This difference impacts part-time workers and per-diem assistants in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and school therapy environments. Entry-level occupational therapy assistants may earn around $25.69, progressing to top earners who can achieve rates of up to $35.50, making opportunities for both full-time and part-time roles appealing. As a result of the local cost of living index, which is below the national average at 85.929, the compensation may make an hourly position practical for individuals seeking flexible work arrangements.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.69 | $205.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.69 | $205.54 |
| Median (P50) | $27.74 | $221.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.92 | $255.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.50 | $284.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johnstown
Based on $27.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.74/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johnstown, PA can expect to earn approximately $57,695 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,286. With a cost-of-living index of 85.93 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Johnstown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johnstown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,109.53 | $4,808 | $57,695 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $665.72 | $2,885 | $34,617 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $443.81 | $1,923 | $23,078 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Johnstown) | $27.74 |
| 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 Johnstown, PA earn a median of $57,697 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.38% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 12.30% below the Pennsylvania state average of $65,789.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.74/hr = $34,617/year (purchasing power: $40,286).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,695/year (purchasing power: $67,143).
CoL index: 85.929 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Johnstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Johnstown grew 17.5% from $22.95/hr (2019) to $26.98/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.52/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 Johnstown 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 Johnstown
Part-time occupational therapy assistants in Johnstown who work just three days a week, equating to approximately 24 hours, can expect an annual income surpassing some alternative career options while still balancing flexibility in their work schedules. In contrast, per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Johnstown typically falls within the range of $30 to $45 per hour, whereas lucrative travel contracts often bring in weekly pay between $1,100 and $1,700. Notably, hourly rates can fluctuate based on employer types; for instance, skilled nursing facilities may offset lower hourly wages with health benefits, while outpatient clinics might offer higher pay without such perks. Negotiating these terms becomes essential, especially since the 15% Medicare cut in OTA-provided services impacted pay in some settings. Understanding the dynamics of occupational therapy assistant hourly rates in Johnstown allows prospective and current COTAs to make informed career choices.
More salary data for Johnstown, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Johnstown in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Johnstown?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Johnstown paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Johnstown?
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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 Johnstown. 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, 6-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