Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in 2026
How Much Do Occupational Therapy Assistants Make?
Occupational Therapy Assistants earn a median annual salary of $68,340 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $49,070 at the 10th percentile to $86,930 at the 90th percentile — a range of $37,860. The highest-paying state is California at $79,420.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,070 |
| 25th percentile | $59,950 |
| Median (50th) | $68,340 |
| 75th percentile | $77,340 |
| 90th percentile | $86,930 |
Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $79,420 |
| Texas | $77,910 |
| Arkansas | $77,340 |
| Maryland | $77,330 |
| Nevada | $76,450 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| Arizona | $75,020 |
| Virginia | $73,870 |
| Oregon | $73,580 |
| South Carolina | $72,970 |
| New Jersey | $72,800 |
| Massachusetts | $72,750 |
| Delaware | $72,550 |
| Florida | $71,800 |
| Connecticut | $71,210 |
| North Carolina | $70,940 |
| New Mexico | $69,850 |
| Idaho | $69,630 |
| Oklahoma | $68,710 |
| Colorado | $68,650 |
| Montana | $67,410 |
| Vermont | $67,160 |
| District of Columbia | $66,750 |
| New Hampshire | $66,560 |
| Georgia | $66,090 |
| Kentucky | $65,980 |
| Louisiana | $65,860 |
| Kansas | $64,880 |
| New York | $64,660 |
| Illinois | $63,710 |
| Rhode Island | $63,590 |
| Hawaii | $63,300 |
| Ohio | $62,960 |
| Missouri | $62,830 |
| Mississippi | $62,160 |
| Tennessee | $62,060 |
| Alabama | $61,990 |
| Iowa | $61,980 |
| Michigan | $61,460 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,430 |
| Indiana | $61,390 |
| West Virginia | $61,320 |
| Utah | $61,280 |
| Nebraska | $60,900 |
| Minnesota | $60,570 |
| North Dakota | $59,410 |
| Maine | $59,370 |
| Wisconsin | $58,400 |
| Wyoming | $57,550 |
| Alaska | $51,840 |
| South Dakota | $51,820 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$49,070 – $59,950 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$68,340 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$77,340 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $86,930+ |
How to Earn More as an Occupational Therapy Assistant
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Occupational Therapy Assistants in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $96,500 — $28,160 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($77,340) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistantthis career | $68,340 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,340 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,020 |
| Radiation Therapist | $101,990 |
| Recreational Therapist | $60,280 |
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SOC: 31-2011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.