Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in The Colony, TX: $36.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in The Colony, TX runs $36.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,606 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against The Colony's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,960 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In The Colony, Texas, the projected hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant (COTA) stands at $36.83, which is slightly above the national median of $35.74. This competitive hourly rate is advantageous for part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, as it can provide considerable income without the commitment of full-time hours. For those seeking per-diem roles, which are prevalent in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, or outpatient clinics, the hourly rates may vary significantly based on demand and specific contracts. Entry-level positions typically start around $26.17 per hour, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $43.55 per hour, reflecting the diverse career trajectories available in this field and the means to effectively balance work and personal life.
About the The Colony 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) | $26.17 | $209.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.00 | $247.98 |
| Median (P50) | $36.83 | $294.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.49 | $315.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.55 | $348.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in The Colony
Based on $36.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.83/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in The Colony, TX can expect to earn approximately $76,599 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,192. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in The Colony.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in The Colony
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,473.06 | $6,383 | $76,599 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $883.84 | $3,830 | $45,960 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $589.22 | $2,553 | $30,640 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (The Colony) | $36.83 |
| 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 The Colony, TX earn a median of $76,606 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.06% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.20% below the Texas state average of $78,329.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.83/hr = $45,960/year (purchasing power: $47,875).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,599/year (purchasing power: $79,791).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in The Colony (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in The Colony grew 17.5% from $30.47/hr (2019) to $35.82/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.86/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 The Colony 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 The Colony
Exploring the earning potential for part-time occupational therapy assistants in The Colony reveals that working just three days a week, approximately 24 hours, can still yield a substantial income over the year. While full-time COTAs may achieve a higher annual income, part-time workers can find roles that fit their lifestyle, earning approximately $43,000 annually. For per diem and agency roles, many COTAs experience variable pay that can range between $30 and $45 per hour; travel contracts often offer weekly compensation from $1,100 to $1,700, though some have noted a decline in premium rates for skilled nursing facilities due to the recent 15% Medicare cut. The hourly rates can differ across employer types, with schools and home health agencies sometimes offering lower pay while providing valuable benefits like health insurance. COTAs in The Colony need to negotiate wisely, considering the trade-offs between hourly pay and benefits, especially when transitioning to full-time roles or considering agency work where flexibility can be rewarding yet requires a proactive approach to secure adequate compensation.
More salary data for The Colony, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in The Colony in 2026?
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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 The Colony. 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 The Colony 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