Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Abilene, TX: $51.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Abilene, TX runs $51.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $107,945 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Abilene's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $57.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,772 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapists in Abilene, Texas, can expect a median hourly rate of $51.90, which is slightly above the national hourly median of $49.71 reported for 2026. This rate provides a solid foundation for part-time (3 days per week) therapists and per-diem professionals. In hospital rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics, these therapists also have the potential to earn from $38.70 at the entry level to $65.57 as top earners, reflecting a wide range in available compensation. The data, sourced from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, paints a positive picture of the occupational therapy field in Abilene, particularly for those who choose to work flexibly in various therapy settings, from home health visits to school therapy rooms.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.70 | $309.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.02 | $344.14 |
| Median (P50) | $51.90 | $415.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.87 | $518.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.57 | $524.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Abilene
Based on $51.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.90/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Abilene, TX can expect to earn approximately $107,954 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,281. With a cost-of-living index of 90.36 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Abilene.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Abilene
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,076.04 | $8,996 | $107,954 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,245.62 | $5,398 | $64,772 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $830.42 | $3,598 | $43,182 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Abilene) | $51.90 |
| 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 Abilene, TX earn a median of $107,945 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.40% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 2.30% above the Texas state average of $105,518.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.90/hr = $64,772/year (purchasing power: $71,680).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $107,954/year (purchasing power: $119,466).
CoL index: 90.364 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Abilene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Abilene grew 19.6% from $42.12/hr (2019) to $50.36/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.49/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 Abilene 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 Abilene
Focusing on part-time earnings, a 24-hour workweek would yield an annual income of around $64,387 for an occupational therapist, a figure quite impressive when compared to a full-time occupational therapist's average annual income. Moreover, per diem occupational therapist pay in Abilene is potentially lucrative, with many billing between $50 to $75 per hour for regular assignments. For specialized hand therapists with a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential, rates can climb to between $80 and $110 in cash-pay practices. Variations in hourly rates arise based on the employer type, with skilled nursing facilities typically offering lower pay compared to hospital inpatient rehab or outpatient clinics. Therapists often have to weigh benefits against higher hourly compensation; accepting a lower rate might come with health insurance, while higher pay could mean working without additional benefits. Local negotiators should emphasize their certifications and experience, particularly when approaching contracts in Abilene's diverse therapy environment.
More salary data for Abilene, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Abilene in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Abilene?
Are occupational therapists in Abilene paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapist make per year in Abilene?
Do occupational therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Abilene?
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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 Abilene. 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, 7-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 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