Occupational therapy assistant salary
BLS occupation: Occupational Therapy Assistants · also called COTA · Healthcare support · data for May 2025
Median salary $72,300 a year, US
Median hourly pay $34.76 an hour
Middle half earn $61,710–$79,160 25th to 75th percentile
Occupational therapy assistants employed 51,290 +21.5% projected by 2035
How much does an occupational therapy assistant make?
- The median occupational therapy assistant salary in the US is $72,300 a year ($34.76 an hour): half of the 51,290 occupational therapy assistants BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $70,710.
- The middle half earn between $61,710 and $79,160. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $51,490 and the top 10% more than $89,780.
- That is 42% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Maryland pays occupational therapy assistants the most (median $82,010), followed by California ($81,770) and Texas ($81,500). Alaska pays the least ($53,530).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Arkansas, where the median is worth $90,801 in typical US prices, then Texas and New Mexico. Maryland's higher pay is offset by its prices (105.0 vs a US average of 100).
- In 155 of the 215 metro areas with data, the median occupational therapy assistant salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of occupational therapy assistants to grow 21.5% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 8,100 openings a year. The typical entry education is an associate's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what occupational therapy assistants are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Occupational therapy assistant salary range
Half of occupational therapy assistants earn between $61,710 and $79,160 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $51,490
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $61,710
Median Yearly pay: $72,300
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $79,160
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $89,780
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $51,490 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $61,710 |
| Median | $72,300 |
| Top 25% earn over | $79,160 |
| Top 10% earn over | $89,780 |
Occupational therapy assistant salary by state
Maryland pays occupational therapy assistants the most; Alaska the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($72,300), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $82,010 median |
| California | $81,770 median |
| Texas | $81,500 median |
| Nevada | $79,510 median |
| Arkansas | $78,940 median |
| Delaware | $78,640 median |
| Washington | $77,590 median |
| New Mexico | $77,020 median |
| Oregon | $76,850 median |
| Georgia | $75,920 median |
| Colorado | $75,340 median |
| Massachusetts | $75,040 median |
| New Jersey | $74,960 median |
| Virginia | $74,960 median |
| South Carolina | $73,740 median |
| Arizona | $73,490 median |
| Montana | $72,800 median |
| Connecticut | $72,780 median |
| Hawaii | $72,710 median |
| Florida | $71,630 median |
| Pennsylvania | $71,590 median |
| North Carolina | $69,390 median |
| New York | $68,530 median |
| New Hampshire | $67,790 median |
| Rhode Island | $66,710 median |
| Indiana | $66,660 median |
| Oklahoma | $66,520 median |
| District of Columbia | $66,390 median |
| Louisiana | $66,090 median |
| Utah | $66,080 median |
| Missouri | $66,070 median |
| Idaho | $65,330 median |
| Kentucky | $65,230 median |
| Kansas | $65,010 median |
| Minnesota | $64,920 median |
| Maine | $64,270 median |
| Iowa | $64,140 median |
| Illinois | $64,120 median |
| Michigan | $63,260 median |
| Nebraska | $63,180 median |
| Wyoming | $62,750 median |
| Ohio | $62,700 median |
| Tennessee | $62,420 median |
| Alabama | $62,250 median |
| Mississippi | $61,650 median |
| North Dakota | $60,970 median |
| West Virginia | $60,370 median |
| Wisconsin | $59,960 median |
| South Dakota | $56,180 median |
| Alaska | $53,530 median |
Where occupational therapy assistant pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Occupational therapy assistants' pay goes furthest in Arkansas once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Arkansas | $90,801 |
| Texas | $83,971 |
| New Mexico | $83,525 |
| Nevada | $79,527 |
| Georgia | $78,843 |
| Delaware | $78,791 |
| South Carolina | $78,657 |
| Maryland | $78,135 |
| Montana | $76,919 |
| Oklahoma | $75,726 |
Occupational therapy assistant pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $82,010 | $39.43 | $62,380 | $95,520 | 710 | $78,135 |
| California | $81,770 | $39.31 | $65,680 | $104,990 | 3,840 | $73,853 |
| Texas | $81,500 | $39.18 | $60,980 | $95,900 | 5,610 | $83,971 |
| Nevada | $79,510 | $38.23 | $61,530 | $97,590 | 220 | $79,527 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 | $37.95 | $50,710 | $98,960 | 730 | $90,801 |
| Delaware | $78,640 | $37.81 | $63,970 | $82,070 | 220 | $78,791 |
| Washington | $77,590 | $37.30 | $62,960 | $88,250 | 720 | $72,505 |
| New Mexico | $77,020 | $37.03 | $36,820 | $94,000 | 300 | $83,525 |
| Oregon | $76,850 | $36.95 | $65,190 | $86,010 | 250 | $74,351 |
| Georgia | $75,920 | $36.50 | $55,840 | $86,830 | 1,060 | $78,843 |
| Colorado | $75,340 | $36.22 | $60,880 | $100,190 | 710 | $73,109 |
| Massachusetts | $75,040 | $36.08 | $42,120 | $82,180 | 1,410 | $70,955 |
| New Jersey | $74,960 | $36.04 | $65,550 | $100,700 | 1,080 | $68,894 |
| Virginia | $74,960 | $36.04 | $57,250 | $89,560 | 1,130 | $74,141 |
| South Carolina | $73,740 | $35.45 | $52,050 | $87,860 | 830 | $78,657 |
| Arizona | $73,490 | $35.33 | $53,810 | $89,880 | 1,120 | $72,996 |
| Montana | $72,800 | $35.00 | $59,060 | $94,510 | 60 | $76,919 |
| Connecticut | $72,780 | $34.99 | $60,180 | $81,400 | 820 | $70,244 |
| Hawaii | $72,710 | $34.96 | $65,660 | $77,280 | 60 | $66,129 |
| Florida | $71,630 | $34.44 | $59,890 | $79,350 | 3,910 | $69,265 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,590 | $34.42 | $55,690 | $77,790 | 2,560 | $73,371 |
| North Carolina | $69,390 | $33.36 | $55,130 | $83,360 | 1,590 | $73,564 |
| New York | $68,530 | $32.95 | $49,050 | $83,200 | 2,230 | $63,500 |
| New Hampshire | $67,790 | $32.59 | $48,410 | $85,610 | 150 | $65,079 |
| Rhode Island | $66,710 | $32.07 | $58,220 | $75,560 | 300 | $65,223 |
| Indiana | $66,660 | $32.05 | $43,340 | $86,870 | 1,490 | $71,425 |
| Oklahoma | $66,520 | $31.98 | $51,710 | $79,320 | 1,000 | $75,726 |
| District of Columbia | $66,390 | $31.92 | $57,450 | $85,660 | 60 | $60,409 |
| Louisiana | $66,090 | $31.77 | $31,530 | $83,200 | 760 | $74,926 |
| Utah | $66,080 | $31.77 | $42,690 | $94,870 | 280 | $66,839 |
| Missouri | $66,070 | $31.76 | $50,990 | $80,930 | 1,470 | $72,751 |
| Idaho | $65,330 | $31.41 | $59,820 | $74,720 | 210 | $68,413 |
| Kentucky | $65,230 | $31.36 | $50,840 | $77,270 | 500 | $72,350 |
| Kansas | $65,010 | $31.25 | $55,120 | $77,410 | 660 | $72,179 |
| Minnesota | $64,920 | $31.21 | $56,360 | $73,040 | 540 | $65,828 |
| Maine | $64,270 | $30.90 | $53,230 | $81,220 | 250 | $66,224 |
| Iowa | $64,140 | $30.84 | $47,670 | $79,800 | 400 | $73,084 |
| Illinois | $64,120 | $30.83 | $47,830 | $80,150 | 2,470 | $64,147 |
| Michigan | $63,260 | $30.41 | $52,270 | $79,310 | 1,250 | $65,747 |
| Nebraska | $63,180 | $30.38 | $47,490 | $77,840 | 210 | $70,120 |
| Wyoming | $62,750 | $30.17 | $37,680 | $74,430 | 80 | $67,698 |
| Ohio | $62,700 | $30.14 | $49,500 | $79,600 | 3,890 | $67,584 |
| Tennessee | $62,420 | $30.01 | $23,910 | $78,950 | 1,300 | $67,944 |
| Alabama | $62,250 | $29.93 | $50,120 | $79,600 | 750 | $70,083 |
| Mississippi | $61,650 | $29.64 | $51,920 | $78,320 | 420 | $70,900 |
| North Dakota | $60,970 | $29.31 | $48,760 | $65,540 | 130 | $68,537 |
| West Virginia | $60,370 | $29.02 | $49,280 | $76,940 | 340 | $67,455 |
| Wisconsin | $59,960 | $28.83 | $44,620 | $72,940 | 1,050 | $63,723 |
| South Dakota | $56,180 | $27.01 | $40,110 | $72,800 | 100 | $63,419 |
| Alaska | $53,530 | $25.74 | $34,110 | $95,900 | 60 | $52,296 |
BLS does not publish pay for occupational therapy assistants in 1 state (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Occupational therapy assistant salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes occupational therapy assistant pay: 217 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Francisco, CA $97,860
- Modesto, CA $96,210
- San Jose, CA $95,370
- Bakersfield, CA $95,190
- Sacramento, CA $95,180
- Washington, DC $88,250
- Santa Maria, CA $86,440
- Spartanburg, SC $86,040
- Boulder, CO $84,860
- Stockton, CA $84,400
Where the pay goes furthest
- Texarkana, TX $94,891
- Spartanburg, SC $94,496
- Bakersfield, CA $94,354
- Fort Smith, AR $93,913
- Modesto, CA $92,414
- Beaumont, TX $91,742
- Jonesboro, AR $91,597
- Lake Charles, LA $90,644
- Sacramento, CA $89,228
- Houma, LA $89,127
All 217 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $97,860 | 290 | $84,644 | 42% |
| Modesto, CA | $96,210 | 30 | $92,414 | 26% |
| San Jose, CA | $95,370 | 160 | $86,368 | 48% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $95,190 | 40 | $94,354 | 23% |
| Sacramento, CA | $95,180 | 170 | $89,228 | 29% |
| Washington, DC | $88,250 | 420 | $81,050 | 33% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $86,440 | 40 | $79,450 | 46% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $86,040 | 80 | $94,496 | 21% |
| Boulder, CO | $84,860 | 50 | $80,664 | 31% |
| Stockton, CA | $84,400 | 60 | $80,313 | 35% |
| San Diego, CA | $82,680 | 360 | $73,896 | 43% |
| Baltimore, MD | $82,620 | 310 | $79,072 | 28% |
| Beaumont, TX | $82,610 | 70 | $91,742 | 19% |
| Oxnard, CA | $82,060 | 80 | $74,240 | 43% |
| Austin, TX | $81,500 | 1,190 | $83,107 | 24% |
| Houston, TX | $81,340 | 900 | $82,471 | 24% |
| Visalia, CA | $81,200 | 50 | $81,342 | 26% |
| Dallas, TX | $81,170 | 1,220 | $78,737 | 25% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $80,910 | 100 | $88,569 | 23% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $80,660 | 40 | $93,913 | 16% |
| Riverside, CA | $80,070 | 400 | $75,224 | 38% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $79,770 | 40 | $80,457 | 31% |
| Texarkana, TX | $79,720 | 40 | $94,891 | 19% |
| Lubbock, TX | $79,690 | 70 | $87,267 | 20% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $79,520 | 170 | $79,349 | 26% |
| San Antonio, TX | $79,240 | 420 | $83,661 | 21% |
| Little Rock, AR | $78,720 | 260 | $88,089 | 19% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $78,660 | 90 | $91,597 | 19% |
| Portland, OR | $78,640 | 170 | $74,596 | 28% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $78,230 | 40 | $87,542 | 20% |
| Atlanta, GA | $78,180 | 590 | $78,135 | 28% |
| Reno, NV | $78,100 | 40 | $77,316 | 32% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $78,090 | 1,720 | $68,762 | 45% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $77,820 | 50 | $90,644 | 21% |
| Naples, FL | $77,690 | 50 | $75,281 | 40% |
| Seattle, WA | $77,590 | 350 | $69,817 | 35% |
| Waco, TX | $77,170 | 50 | $83,382 | 22% |
| Denver, CO | $76,980 | 340 | $72,772 | 30% |
| Richmond, VA | $76,760 | 210 | $78,440 | 27% |
| Amarillo, TX | $76,720 | 90 | $83,555 | 20% |
| Salem, OR | $76,570 | 40 | $73,874 | 26% |
| Worcester, MA | $76,570 | 180 | $74,686 | 33% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $76,440 | 940 | $74,536 | 30% |
| Killeen, TX | $76,290 | 90 | $83,714 | 21% |
| Bremerton, WA | $76,090 | 40 | $72,050 | 32% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $76,080 | 800 | $73,638 | 27% |
| Longview, TX | $76,070 | 50 | $85,009 | 18% |
| Fresno, CA | $76,030 | 90 | $74,424 | 32% |
| Houma, LA | $75,850 | 40 | $89,127 | 21% |
| Charleston, SC | $75,770 | 110 | $75,048 | 32% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $75,750 | 50 | $83,969 | 23% |
| College Station, TX | $75,670 | 40 | $83,199 | 24% |
| Raleigh, NC | $75,620 | 170 | $77,040 | 26% |
| Dover, DE | $75,440 | 60 | $77,369 | 28% |
| Tulsa, OK | $75,360 | 260 | $84,471 | 22% |
| Boston, MA | $75,300 | 850 | $69,551 | 48% |
| Tyler, TX | $75,280 | 70 | $81,688 | 21% |
| Barnstable, MA | $75,170 | 50 | $76,430 | 41% |
| New York, NY | $74,960 | 2,200 | $66,594 | 57% |
| Springfield, OH | $74,950 | 30 | $82,834 | 19% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $74,700 | 140 | $74,176 | 28% |
| El Paso, TX | $74,640 | 130 | $83,015 | 24% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $74,450 | 50 | $83,172 | 21% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $74,430 | 80 | $80,316 | 23% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $74,380 | 150 | $77,847 | 24% |
| Columbia, SC | $74,330 | 120 | $79,360 | 25% |
| Greensboro, NC | $74,290 | 80 | $79,998 | 23% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $73,890 | 150 | $73,722 | 38% |
| McAllen, TX | $73,720 | 120 | $85,826 | 18% |
| Victoria, TX | $73,720 | 60 | $82,058 | 19% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $73,710 | 230 | $68,976 | 47% |
| Greenville, SC | $73,580 | 240 | $78,898 | 26% |
| New Haven, CT | $73,440 | 110 | $70,238 | 33% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $73,340 | 120 | $71,657 | 30% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $73,130 | 100 | $78,998 | 21% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $73,130 | 150 | $73,126 | 31% |
| Norwich, CT | $73,030 | 50 | $72,706 | 34% |
| Roanoke, VA | $72,870 | 60 | $77,838 | 23% |
| Asheville, NC | $72,840 | 70 | $75,477 | 28% |
| Tampa, FL | $72,820 | 550 | $72,178 | 33% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $72,800 | 40 | $72,420 | 31% |
| Charlotte, NC | $72,780 | 450 | $74,763 | 29% |
| Florence, SC | $72,720 | 40 | $83,804 | 25% |
| Orlando, FL | $72,630 | 350 | $71,615 | 32% |
| Brownsville, TX | $72,190 | 80 | $83,966 | 25% |
| Lancaster, PA | $72,170 | 70 | $73,450 | 26% |
| Savannah, GA | $72,120 | 40 | $75,752 | 29% |
| Reading, PA | $72,110 | 40 | $74,294 | 26% |
| North Port, FL | $72,070 | 200 | $70,369 | 35% |
| Honolulu, HI | $71,960 | 50 | $64,852 | 50% |
| Lafayette, IN | $71,930 | 60 | $76,988 | 25% |
| Hartford, CT | $71,750 | 240 | $69,832 | 33% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $71,640 | 110 | $65,471 | 38% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $71,570 | – | $70,772 | 33% |
| Tucson, AZ | $71,480 | 160 | $73,770 | 25% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $71,420 | 100 | $70,805 | 28% |
| Miami, FL | $71,310 | 1,090 | $62,468 | 45% |
| Gainesville, FL | $71,240 | 70 | $73,646 | 28% |
| Kansas City, MO | $71,050 | 400 | $76,775 | 26% |
| Owensboro, KY | $70,840 | 30 | $79,946 | 21% |
| Pensacola, FL | $70,630 | 70 | $72,280 | 29% |
| Spokane, WA | $70,570 | 110 | $70,327 | 26% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $70,540 | 340 | $70,906 | 29% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $70,150 | 90 | $76,214 | 26% |
| Dayton, OH | $70,020 | 270 | $75,539 | 23% |
| Shreveport, LA | $69,570 | 90 | $82,073 | 22% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $69,270 | 70 | $73,558 | 28% |
| Deltona, FL | $68,900 | 120 | $69,339 | 31% |
| Manchester, NH | $68,530 | – | $64,861 | 38% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $68,380 | 90 | $73,160 | 31% |
| Pueblo, CO | $68,370 | 50 | $74,508 | 23% |
| Elkhart, IN | $68,230 | 30 | $75,538 | 21% |
| Chicago, IL | $67,840 | 1,710 | $65,486 | 38% |
| Louisville, KY | $67,840 | 170 | $72,888 | 24% |
| Augusta, GA | $67,780 | 100 | $73,752 | 26% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $67,460 | 480 | $70,735 | 27% |
| St. Louis, MO | $67,450 | 780 | $70,934 | 25% |
| Providence, RI | $67,300 | 440 | $66,128 | 39% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $67,290 | 370 | $70,427 | 29% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $67,290 | 700 | $70,316 | 27% |
| Springfield, IL | $67,140 | 40 | $72,392 | 22% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $66,920 | 40 | $71,464 | 31% |
| Boise, ID | $66,550 | 110 | $67,638 | 35% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $66,320 | 50 | $70,614 | 27% |
| Durham, NC | $66,230 | 60 | $67,878 | 30% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $66,210 | 350 | $63,164 | 31% |
| Evansville, IN | $66,200 | 120 | $72,328 | 20% |
| Lakeland, FL | $66,160 | 110 | $68,107 | 33% |
| Omaha, NE | $65,930 | 80 | $71,732 | 25% |
| New Orleans, LA | $65,850 | 130 | $71,115 | 29% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $65,840 | 420 | $72,825 | 25% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $65,730 | 300 | $67,112 | 34% |
| Nashville, TN | $65,380 | 270 | $67,865 | 33% |
| Lexington, KY | $65,210 | 40 | $70,202 | 29% |
| Lafayette, LA | $64,900 | 60 | $74,419 | 26% |
| Utica, NY | $64,880 | 40 | $70,006 | 26% |
| Johnson City, TN | $64,810 | 40 | $73,708 | 28% |
| Portland, ME | $64,700 | 60 | $63,520 | 43% |
| Greenville, NC | $64,680 | 70 | $73,166 | 27% |
| Williamsport, PA | $64,650 | 40 | $70,005 | 20% |
| Allentown, PA | $64,310 | 140 | $64,331 | 34% |
| Waterbury, CT | $64,310 | 110 | $64,453 | – |
| Canton, OH | $64,250 | 210 | $71,863 | 21% |
| Des Moines, IA | $64,250 | 80 | $70,065 | 24% |
| Springfield, MA | $64,250 | 120 | $66,885 | 37% |
| Wichita, KS | $64,250 | 180 | $72,235 | 23% |
| York, PA | $64,180 | 50 | $66,854 | 26% |
| Monroe, LA | $64,130 | 40 | $76,713 | 22% |
| Laredo, TX | $64,090 | 50 | $73,704 | 21% |
| Ogden, UT | $64,050 | 80 | $63,827 | 31% |
| Kingsport, TN | $64,040 | 60 | $74,080 | 25% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $64,010 | 70 | $69,593 | 27% |
| Memphis, TN | $64,010 | 150 | $69,441 | 26% |
| Scranton, PA | $63,740 | 70 | $68,130 | 26% |
| Toledo, OH | $63,710 | 250 | $69,663 | 24% |
| Fargo, ND | $63,660 | 30 | $70,055 | 21% |
| Jackson, MS | $63,540 | 120 | $71,355 | 28% |
| Bangor, ME | $63,520 | 40 | $65,818 | 29% |
| Columbus, OH | $63,480 | 610 | $66,493 | 29% |
| Wilmington, NC | $63,440 | 80 | $65,794 | 33% |
| Sandusky, OH | $63,260 | 50 | $70,855 | 34% |
| Lincoln, NE | $63,180 | 40 | $68,988 | 24% |
| Birmingham, AL | $63,170 | 190 | $68,930 | 27% |
| Hickory, NC | $63,120 | 70 | $71,333 | 30% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $63,030 | 130 | $69,432 | 26% |
| Columbia, MO | $62,810 | 80 | $70,227 | 28% |
| Cleveland, OH | $62,700 | 720 | $66,757 | 28% |
| Wheeling, WV | $62,670 | 40 | $70,955 | 17% |
| Rockford, IL | $62,640 | 40 | $67,973 | 25% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $62,440 | 230 | $64,413 | 30% |
| Akron, OH | $62,380 | 280 | $66,809 | 25% |
| Manhattan, KS | $62,380 | 30 | $69,187 | 24% |
| Rochester, NY | $62,330 | 90 | $64,235 | 29% |
| Mobile, AL | $62,250 | 40 | $70,660 | 25% |
| Muskegon, MI | $62,210 | 40 | $67,240 | 25% |
| Albany, NY | $62,200 | 90 | $62,471 | 33% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $62,010 | 60 | $72,039 | 20% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $61,900 | 370 | $65,384 | 28% |
| Topeka, KS | $61,740 | 80 | $69,511 | 24% |
| South Bend, IN | $61,700 | 50 | $66,446 | 24% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $61,690 | 40 | $68,408 | 24% |
| Waterloo, IA | $61,560 | 40 | $70,712 | 20% |
| Davenport, IA | $61,510 | 60 | $69,051 | 20% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $61,360 | 210 | $67,087 | 30% |
| Springfield, MO | $61,360 | 120 | $69,267 | 24% |
| Provo, UT | $61,280 | 40 | $62,383 | 35% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $61,230 | 130 | $62,068 | 29% |
| Gulfport, MS | $61,120 | 60 | $67,907 | 28% |
| Huntsville, AL | $61,040 | 60 | $65,584 | 27% |
| La Crosse, WI | $60,940 | 40 | $66,406 | 27% |
| Detroit, MI | $60,900 | 470 | $60,719 | 30% |
| Champaign, IL | $60,840 | 70 | $65,628 | 27% |
| Kenosha, WI | $60,790 | 30 | $60,118 | – |
| Huntington, WV | $60,740 | 80 | $68,693 | 21% |
| Lima, OH | $60,550 | 50 | $67,526 | 24% |
| Clarksville, TN | $60,520 | 50 | $66,544 | 27% |
| Syracuse, NY | $60,320 | 60 | $63,003 | 32% |
| Altoona, PA | $60,310 | 40 | $67,380 | 20% |
| Bloomington, IL | $60,050 | 50 | $64,199 | 26% |
| Flint, MI | $60,040 | 40 | $64,536 | 21% |
| Knoxville, TN | $59,930 | 210 | $64,741 | 35% |
| Youngstown, OH | $59,160 | 180 | $67,693 | 21% |
| Erie, PA | $58,470 | 40 | $64,288 | 23% |
| Appleton, WI | $57,920 | 60 | $62,671 | 25% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $57,810 | 40 | $62,209 | 27% |
| Charleston, WV | $57,520 | 40 | $64,835 | 25% |
| Weirton, WV | $57,520 | 30 | $64,612 | 17% |
| Florence, AL | $57,450 | 30 | $67,734 | 22% |
| Green Bay, WI | $57,280 | 70 | $61,534 | 23% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $56,180 | 40 | $61,988 | 27% |
| Johnstown, PA | $56,120 | 40 | $65,310 | 19% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $56,110 | 30 | $60,466 | 25% |
| Peoria, IL | $55,210 | 100 | $60,517 | 25% |
| Madison, WI | $54,870 | 180 | $56,400 | 39% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $52,560 | 50 | $59,081 | 28% |
| Buffalo, NY | $51,140 | 200 | $53,358 | 34% |
| Anchorage, AK | $49,050 | 50 | $46,528 | 46% |
What the median occupational therapy assistant salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $72,300 |
| Month | $6,025 |
| Every two weeks | $2,781 |
| Week | $1,390 |
| Hour | $34.76 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming an occupational therapy assistant: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +21.5% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 8,100 |
| Self-employed | % |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Physical therapist assistant | $68,380 | Associate's degree |
| CNA | $42,260 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Dental assistant | $48,070 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Massage therapist | $58,450 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Vet assistant | $38,150 | High school diploma |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Sterile processing technician | $47,700 | High school diploma |
| Home health aide | $35,800 | High school diploma |
Questions about occupational therapy assistant pay
How much does an occupational therapy assistant make an hour?
The median is $34.76 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $24.76 and the top 10% over $43.16.
How much does an occupational therapy assistant make a month?
About $6,025 a month before taxes at the median salary of $72,300, or $2,781 every two weeks.
What state pays occupational therapy assistants the most?
Maryland, with a median of $82,010. California ($81,770), Texas ($81,500), Nevada ($79,510) and Arkansas ($78,940) follow.
Where do occupational therapy assistants make the most after cost of living?
Arkansas: its median of $78,940 is worth $90,801 at typical US prices. Texas, New Mexico and Nevada come next.
How much do entry-level occupational therapy assistants make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of occupational therapy assistants earn under $51,490 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $61,710, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become an occupational therapy assistant?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as an associate's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 31-2011 (Occupational Therapy Assistants). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.