Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Caldwell, ID: $48.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Caldwell, ID runs $48.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,813 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Caldwell's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.3, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,094 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Caldwell, Idaho, the occupational therapist hourly pay is projected to be $48.95 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $49.71 per hour. This rate opens up various opportunities for part-time or per-diem occupational therapists working in diverse settings like hospital rehabilitation units, skilled nursing facilities, and schools. With an hourly range from $33.19 for entry-level positions to $62.56 for top earners, professionals can expect a competitive environment where their expertise is valued. Part-time therapists working three days a week may find flexibility that fits their lifestyle, while those taking on per-diem work increase their earnings based on demand and specific location, such as early intervention home visits or outpatient hand therapy clinics. The estimates indicating this hourly rate derive from comprehensive annual salary data, reflecting the growing need for occupational therapy services in Caldwell.
About the Caldwell Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.19 | $265.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.48 | $331.85 |
| Median (P50) | $48.95 | $391.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.04 | $448.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.56 | $500.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Caldwell
Based on $48.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.95/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Caldwell, ID can expect to earn approximately $101,823 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,744. With a cost-of-living index of 95.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Caldwell.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Caldwell
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,958.14 | $8,485 | $101,823 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,174.88 | $5,091 | $61,094 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $783.26 | $3,394 | $40,729 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Caldwell) | $48.95 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist (National Avg) | $43.80 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapists in Caldwell, ID earn a median of $101,813 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.53% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 0.80% above the Idaho state average of $101,005.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.95/hr = $61,094/year (purchasing power: $64,107).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,823/year (purchasing power: $106,845).
CoL index: 95.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Caldwell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Caldwell grew 18.1% from $40.22/hr (2019) to $47.50/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.45/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Caldwell 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 3.06% 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 Therapist in Caldwell
When examining the earning potential for part-time occupational therapists, a typical schedule of 24 hours per week could yield around $61,340 annually, which contrasts sharply with full-time roles that ramp earnings up significantly. Per-diem occupational therapist pay in Caldwell often falls between $50 and $75 per hour, with specialized hand therapists holding CHT certification frequently billing even higher rates of $80 to $110 per hour in cash-pay clinics. Travel contracts for occupational therapists can run from $1,800 to $2,800 per week. Employers like skilled nursing facilities and schools may offer different pay scales, reflecting varying budgets and staffing needs. Many practitioners weigh the trade-offs between hourly rates and benefits such as health insurance, as some prefer the flexibility and higher pay without benefits, typical of per diem roles. For therapists in Caldwell, negotiating hourly wages can be crucial; demonstrating specialized skills or additional certifications can help secure competitive pay, making the most of the evolving opportunities in this growing field.
More salary data for Caldwell, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Caldwell in 2026?
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Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.
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 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapists in Caldwell. 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 Caldwell 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 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov