Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary
Occupational Therapy Assistants earn a median $72,300 a year nationally. Healthcare Support Occupations
What occupational therapy assistants do
Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +21.5% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 8,100
Employment of occupational therapy assistants is projected to grow 21.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 8,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Occupational Therapy Assistant take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,076
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,483
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,048
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$59,693
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,490 | $24.75 | $43,552 |
| 25th percentile | $61,710 | $29.67 | $51,764 |
| Median (50th) | $72,300 | $34.76 | $59,693 |
| 75th percentile | $79,160 | $38.06 | $64,519 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,780 | $43.16 | $71,990 |
Occupational Therapy Assistant salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $82,010 | +6.1% | $62,992 | $62,380 – $95,520 | 710 |
| California | $81,770 | +3.0% | $61,917 | $65,680 – $104,990 | 3,840 |
| Texas | $81,500 | +4.6% | $66,165 | $60,980 – $95,900 | 5,610 |
| Nevada | $79,510 | +4.0% | $64,765 | $61,530 – $97,590 | 220 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 | +2.1% | $61,498 | $50,710 – $98,960 | 730 |
| Delaware | $78,640 | +8.4% | $60,304 | $63,970 – $82,070 | 220 |
| Washington | $77,590 | +2.1% | $63,415 | $62,960 – $88,250 | 720 |
| New Mexico | $77,020 | +10.3% | $60,559 | $36,820 – $94,000 | 300 |
| Oregon | $76,850 | +4.4% | $56,999 | $65,190 – $86,010 | 250 |
| Georgia | $75,920 | +14.9% | $58,922 | $55,840 – $86,830 | 1,060 |
| Colorado | $75,340 | +9.7% | $59,225 | $60,880 – $100,190 | 710 |
| Massachusetts | $75,040 | +3.1% | $58,089 | $42,120 – $82,180 | 1,410 |
| New Jersey | $74,960 | +3.0% | $58,971 | $65,550 – $100,700 | 1,080 |
| Virginia | $74,960 | +1.5% | $58,068 | $57,250 – $89,560 | 1,130 |
| South Carolina | $73,740 | +1.1% | $57,439 | $52,050 – $87,860 | 830 |
| Arizona | $73,490 | −2.0% | $58,902 | $53,810 – $89,880 | 1,120 |
| Montana | $72,800 | +8.0% | $57,293 | $59,060 – $94,510 | 60 |
| Connecticut | $72,780 | +2.2% | $57,603 | $60,180 – $81,400 | 820 |
| Hawaii | $72,710 | +14.9% | $55,986 | $65,660 – $77,280 | 60 |
| Florida | $71,630 | −0.2% | $59,222 | $59,890 – $79,350 | 3,910 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,590 | +16.5% | $56,996 | $55,690 – $77,790 | 2,560 |
| North Carolina | $69,390 | −2.2% | $55,386 | $55,130 – $83,360 | 1,590 |
| New York | $68,530 | +6.0% | $53,937 | $49,050 – $83,200 | 2,230 |
| New Hampshire | $67,790 | +1.8% | $56,520 | $48,410 – $85,610 | 150 |
| Rhode Island | $66,710 | +4.9% | $53,876 | $58,220 – $75,560 | 300 |
| Indiana | $66,660 | +8.6% | $53,788 | $43,340 – $86,870 | 1,490 |
| Oklahoma | $66,520 | −3.2% | $53,179 | $51,710 – $79,320 | 1,000 |
| District of Columbia | $66,390 | −0.5% | $52,656 | $57,450 – $85,660 | 60 |
| Louisiana | $66,090 | +0.3% | $53,687 | $31,530 – $83,200 | 760 |
| Utah | $66,080 | +7.8% | $53,268 | $42,690 – $94,870 | 280 |
| Missouri | $66,070 | +5.2% | $53,099 | $50,990 – $80,930 | 1,470 |
| Idaho | $65,330 | −6.2% | $52,318 | $59,820 – $74,720 | 210 |
| Kentucky | $65,230 | −1.1% | $52,427 | $50,840 – $77,270 | 500 |
| Kansas | $65,010 | +0.2% | $51,588 | $55,120 – $77,410 | 660 |
| Minnesota | $64,920 | +7.2% | $51,452 | $56,360 – $73,040 | 540 |
| Maine | $64,270 | +8.3% | $50,664 | $53,230 – $81,220 | 250 |
| Iowa | $64,140 | +3.5% | $51,931 | $47,670 – $79,800 | 400 |
| Illinois | $64,120 | +0.6% | $50,671 | $47,830 – $80,150 | 2,470 |
| Michigan | $63,260 | +2.9% | $50,572 | $52,270 – $79,310 | 1,250 |
| Nebraska | $63,180 | +3.7% | $50,950 | $47,490 – $77,840 | 210 |
| Wyoming | $62,750 | +9.0% | $52,600 | $37,680 – $74,430 | 80 |
| Ohio | $62,700 | −0.4% | $51,618 | $49,500 – $79,600 | 3,890 |
| Tennessee | $62,420 | +0.6% | $52,334 | $23,910 – $78,950 | 1,300 |
| Alabama | $62,250 | +0.4% | $49,350 | $50,120 – $79,600 | 750 |
| Mississippi | $61,650 | −0.8% | $49,982 | $51,920 – $78,320 | 420 |
| North Dakota | $60,970 | +2.6% | $51,169 | $48,760 – $65,540 | 130 |
| West Virginia | $60,370 | −1.5% | $48,706 | $49,280 – $76,940 | 340 |
| Wisconsin | $59,960 | +2.7% | $48,501 | $44,620 – $72,940 | 1,050 |
| South Dakota | $56,180 | +8.4% | $47,321 | $40,110 – $72,800 | 100 |
| Alaska | $53,530 | +3.3% | $45,191 | $34,110 – $95,900 | 60 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $39,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $68,380 | Associate's degree | +23.0% |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,240 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
| Massage Therapist | $58,450 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +15.3% |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.8% |
| Dental Assistant | $48,070 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.4% |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,700 | High school diploma or equivalent | +10.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +12.9% |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +6.8% |
| Psychiatric Aide | $44,910 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make?
The national median salary for occupational therapy assistants is $72,300 a year ($34.76 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $51,490 and the top 10% earn over $89,780. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays occupational therapy assistants the most?
Maryland has the highest median pay at $82,010.
How many occupational therapy assistants are there in the U.S.?
About 51,290 people work as occupational therapy assistants nationwide.