Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Port Arthur, TX: $41.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Port Arthur, TX runs $41.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,878 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Port Arthur's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,131 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Port Arthur, TX, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected to be $41.77 in 2026, significantly higher than the national average of $35.74. This competitive rate allows for part-time opportunities to thrive, particularly for those working three days a week, as well as per-diem positions that are common in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics. Entry-level COTAs can expect hourly wages starting at $29.76, while experienced professionals may earn up to $50.72 per hour. With these rates derived from annual salary estimates, practitioners in Port Arthur can enjoy a robust compensation package while still being adaptable to the varying needs of their workplaces.
About the Port Arthur Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.76 | $238.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.35 | $282.77 |
| Median (P50) | $41.77 | $334.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.23 | $361.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.72 | $405.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Port Arthur
Based on $41.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.77/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Port Arthur, TX can expect to earn approximately $86,885 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,126. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Port Arthur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Port Arthur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,670.87 | $7,240 | $86,885 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,002.52 | $4,344 | $52,131 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $668.35 | $2,896 | $34,754 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Port Arthur) | $41.77 |
| 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 Port Arthur, TX earn a median of $86,878 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.88% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 10.90% above the Texas state average of $78,339.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.77/hr = $52,131/year (purchasing power: $54,303).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,885/year (purchasing power: $90,505).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Port Arthur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Port Arthur grew 17.5% from $34.57/hr (2019) to $40.63/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.95/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 Port Arthur 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 Port Arthur
Considering the dynamics of part-time work, an occupational therapy assistant who takes on a three-day week schedule totaling 24 hours might earn a substantial annual income, albeit less than their full-time counterparts. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Port Arthur can vary widely, with many professionals billing between $30 and $45 per hour. Some travel contracts can yield even more, landing between $1,100 and $1,700 a week. Factors such as setting type—skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, or school districts—can influence pay scales, causing some COTAs to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance. For those navigating contracts, negotiating pay based on specific assignments or experiences can be pivotal, especially in light of the recent Medicare cuts affecting reimbursement rates and consequent salary pressures in certain environments.
More salary data for Port Arthur, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Port Arthur in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Port Arthur?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Port Arthur paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Port Arthur?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Port Arthur?
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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 Port Arthur. 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 Port Arthur 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