Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational Therapy Assistants (SOC 31-2011) earn a median $72,300 a year ($34.76 an hour) in the United States, with 51,290 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Maryland.
What occupational therapy assistants do
Occupational therapy assistants assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. The SOC adds that, in accordance with state laws, they may help develop treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs and document the progress of treatments, and that the work generally requires formal training. They implement, or help the therapist implement, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently, select therapy activities to fit each client's needs and capabilities, and monitor performance in those activities while giving encouragement. They instruct patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, and the care and use of adaptive equipment. They observe and record each client's progress, attitudes and behavior, keep that information in client records, and report to supervisors verbally or in writing. Maintaining a positive attitude toward clients and their programs is among the listed tasks, as is attending continuing education classes. O*NET alternate titles include certified occupational therapy assistant, licensed occupational therapy assistant, home health COTA and nursing facility COTA. More than nine in ten respondents report an associate degree. The assistant works with the therapist, who evaluates the client.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report an associate degree as the typical level of education for this occupation (92 percent).
Also called: Acute Care Occupational Therapy Assistant (Acute Care OT Assistant), Certified Occupational Assistant, Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Certified Travel OTA (Certified Travel Occupational Therapist Assistant).
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $24.76 | $29.67 | $34.76 | $38.06 | $43.16 | $33.99 | 51,290 |
| Annual | $51,490 | $61,710 | $72,300 | $79,160 | $89,780 | $70,710 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where occupational therapy assistants earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Maryland | Hourly | $29.99 | $34.90 | $39.43 | $42.65 | $45.92 | $38.41 | 710 | 0.26 | 0.78 |
| Annual | $62,380 | $72,590 | $82,010 | $88,710 | $95,520 | $79,890 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $31.58 | $36.71 | $39.31 | $46.50 | $50.48 | $40.72 | 3,840 | 0.21 | 0.64 |
| Annual | $65,680 | $76,350 | $81,770 | $96,720 | $104,990 | $84,690 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $29.32 | $36.18 | $39.19 | $43.16 | $46.10 | $38.34 | 5,610 | 0.40 | 1.21 |
| Annual | $60,980 | $75,250 | $81,500 | $89,780 | $95,900 | $79,750 | ||||
| Nevada | Hourly | $29.58 | $35.38 | $38.23 | $39.02 | $46.92 | $37.16 | 220 | 0.14 | 0.42 |
| Annual | $61,530 | $73,580 | $79,510 | $81,160 | $97,590 | $77,290 | ||||
| Arkansas | Hourly | $24.38 | $31.62 | $37.95 | $40.88 | $47.58 | $36.97 | 730 | 0.56 | 1.69 |
| Annual | $50,710 | $65,760 | $78,940 | $85,020 | $98,960 | $76,900 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Texas | Hourly | $29.32 | $36.18 | $39.19 | $43.16 | $46.10 | $38.34 | 5,610 | 0.40 | 1.21 |
| Annual | $60,980 | $75,250 | $81,500 | $89,780 | $95,900 | $79,750 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $28.79 | $30.38 | $34.44 | $36.21 | $38.15 | $33.80 | 3,910 | 0.39 | 1.19 |
| Annual | $59,890 | $63,180 | $71,630 | $75,320 | $79,350 | $70,310 | ||||
| Ohio | Hourly | $23.80 | $28.33 | $30.15 | $35.54 | $38.27 | $31.14 | 3,890 | 0.70 | 2.13 |
| Annual | $49,500 | $58,920 | $62,700 | $73,930 | $79,600 | $64,770 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $31.58 | $36.71 | $39.31 | $46.50 | $50.48 | $40.72 | 3,840 | 0.21 | 0.64 |
| Annual | $65,680 | $76,350 | $81,770 | $96,720 | $104,990 | $84,690 | ||||
| Pennsylvania | Hourly | $26.78 | $29.44 | $34.42 | $36.04 | $37.40 | $32.57 | 2,560 | 0.42 | 1.28 |
| Annual | $55,690 | $61,240 | $71,590 | $74,960 | $77,790 | $67,750 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $39.57 | $42.00 | $47.05 | $50.92 | $58.97 | $47.72 | 290 | 0.12 | 0.36 |
| Annual | $82,300 | $87,350 | $97,860 | $105,920 | $122,670 | $99,250 | ||||
| Modesto, CA | Hourly | $36.82 | $37.80 | $46.25 | $48.64 | $50.77 | $44.54 | 30 | 0.15 | 0.47 |
| Annual | $76,590 | $78,620 | $96,210 | $101,160 | $105,590 | $92,640 | ||||
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Hourly | $35.80 | $37.19 | $45.85 | $49.82 | $58.17 | $45.66 | 160 | 0.14 | 0.42 |
| Annual | $74,470 | $77,350 | $95,370 | $103,630 | $120,990 | $94,960 | ||||
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | Hourly | $32.64 | $35.95 | $45.77 | $50.75 | $51.64 | $44.17 | 40 | 0.13 | 0.40 |
| Annual | $67,890 | $74,770 | $95,190 | $105,560 | $107,420 | $91,880 | ||||
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | Hourly | $37.10 | $40.84 | $45.76 | $48.39 | $51.79 | $44.59 | 170 | 0.16 | 0.48 |
| Annual | $77,160 | $84,940 | $95,180 | $100,650 | $107,730 | $92,750 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $25.41 | $33.57 | $36.04 | $38.43 | $42.81 | $35.87 | 2,200 | 0.23 | 0.70 |
| Annual | $52,860 | $69,830 | $74,960 | $79,930 | $89,040 | $74,600 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $31.08 | $36.66 | $37.55 | $43.78 | $49.59 | $39.30 | 1,720 | 0.28 | 0.83 |
| Annual | $64,650 | $76,250 | $78,090 | $91,060 | $103,140 | $81,740 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $23.55 | $29.68 | $32.61 | $35.70 | $39.69 | $32.76 | 1,710 | 0.38 | 1.15 |
| Annual | $48,980 | $61,730 | $67,840 | $74,250 | $82,560 | $68,150 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $26.08 | $37.35 | $39.02 | $43.95 | $45.77 | $38.53 | 1,220 | 0.30 | 0.91 |
| Annual | $54,250 | $77,680 | $81,170 | $91,410 | $95,200 | $80,140 | ||||
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | Hourly | $39.19 | $39.19 | $39.19 | $46.10 | $46.10 | $41.49 | 1,190 | 0.92 | 2.79 |
| Annual | $81,500 | $81,500 | $81,500 | $95,900 | $95,900 | $86,300 | ||||
Top industries employing occupational therapy assistants
Offices of Other Health Practitioners employ 40.2% of occupational therapy assistants nationally (20,640 jobs) at a median $70,820 a year ($34.05 an hour), followed by Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) (18.9%) and General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (11.8%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners NAICS 621300 | 20,640 | 40.2% | $70,820 | $34.05 |
| Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) NAICS 623100 | 9,690 | 18.9% | $76,780 | $36.91 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals NAICS 622100 | 6,050 | 11.8% | $64,970 | $31.24 |
| Home Health Care Services NAICS 621600 | 3,560 | 6.9% | $77,310 | $37.17 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools NAICS 611100 | 2,840 | 5.5% | $60,110 | $28.90 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (51,290). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $61,730 for occupational therapy assistants in May 2021 and $72,300 in May 2025, with employment of 41,980 and 51,290.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $61,730 | $29.68 | 41,980 |
| May 2022 | $64,250 | $30.89 | 43,810 |
| May 2023 | $67,010 | $32.22 | 46,090 |
| May 2024 | $68,340 | $32.86 | 47,910 |
| May 2025 | $72,300 | $34.76 | 51,290 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
50 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland profile | $39.43 | $82,010 | $62,380 | $95,520 | 710 | 0.26 | 0.78 |
| 2 | California profile | $39.31 | $81,770 | $65,680 | $104,990 | 3,840 | 0.21 | 0.64 |
| 3 | Texas profile | $39.19 | $81,500 | $60,980 | $95,900 | 5,610 | 0.40 | 1.21 |
| 4 | Nevada profile | $38.23 | $79,510 | $61,530 | $97,590 | 220 | 0.14 | 0.42 |
| 5 | Arkansas profile | $37.95 | $78,940 | $50,710 | $98,960 | 730 | 0.56 | 1.69 |
| 6 | Delaware profile | $37.81 | $78,640 | $63,970 | $82,070 | 220 | 0.46 | 1.39 |
| 7 | Washington profile | $37.30 | $77,590 | $62,960 | $88,250 | 720 | 0.20 | 0.61 |
| 8 | New Mexico profile | $37.03 | $77,020 | $36,820 | $94,000 | 300 | 0.34 | 1.04 |
| 9 | Oregon profile | $36.95 | $76,850 | $65,190 | $86,010 | 250 | 0.13 | 0.38 |
| 10 | Georgia profile | $36.50 | $75,920 | $55,840 | $86,830 | 1,060 | 0.22 | 0.66 |
| 11 | Colorado profile | $36.22 | $75,340 | $60,880 | $100,190 | 710 | 0.25 | 0.75 |
| 12 | Massachusetts profile | $36.08 | $75,040 | $42,120 | $82,180 | 1,410 | 0.39 | 1.18 |
| 13 | New Jersey profile | $36.04 | $74,960 | $65,550 | $100,700 | 1,080 | 0.25 | 0.76 |
| 14 | Virginia profile | $36.04 | $74,960 | $57,250 | $89,560 | 1,130 | 0.28 | 0.84 |
| 15 | South Carolina profile | $35.45 | $73,740 | $52,050 | $87,860 | 830 | 0.36 | 1.10 |
| 16 | Arizona profile | $35.33 | $73,490 | $53,810 | $89,880 | 1,120 | 0.34 | 1.04 |
| 17 | Montana profile | $35.00 | $72,800 | $59,060 | $94,510 | 60 | 0.11 | 0.33 |
| 18 | Connecticut profile | $34.99 | $72,780 | $60,180 | $81,400 | 820 | 0.48 | 1.46 |
| 19 | Hawaii profile | $34.96 | $72,710 | $65,660 | $77,280 | 60 | 0.09 | 0.28 |
| 20 | Florida profile | $34.44 | $71,630 | $59,890 | $79,350 | 3,910 | 0.39 | 1.19 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania profile | $34.42 | $71,590 | $55,690 | $77,790 | 2,560 | 0.42 | 1.28 |
| 22 | North Carolina profile | $33.36 | $69,390 | $55,130 | $83,360 | 1,590 | 0.32 | 0.97 |
| 23 | New York profile | $32.95 | $68,530 | $49,050 | $83,200 | 2,230 | 0.23 | 0.70 |
| 24 | New Hampshire profile | $32.59 | $67,790 | $48,410 | $85,610 | 150 | 0.22 | 0.66 |
| 25 | Rhode Island profile | $32.07 | $66,710 | $58,220 | $75,560 | 300 | 0.60 | 1.80 |
| 26 | Indiana profile | $32.05 | $66,660 | $43,340 | $86,870 | 1,490 | 0.47 | 1.41 |
| 27 | Oklahoma profile | $31.98 | $66,520 | $51,710 | $79,320 | 1,000 | 0.58 | 1.77 |
| 28 | District of Columbia profile | $31.92 | $66,390 | $57,450 | $85,660 | 60 | 0.09 | 0.27 |
| 29 | Louisiana profile | $31.77 | $66,090 | $31,530 | $83,200 | 760 | 0.39 | 1.18 |
| 30 | Utah profile | $31.77 | $66,080 | $42,690 | $94,870 | 280 | 0.16 | 0.48 |
| 31 | Missouri profile | $31.77 | $66,070 | $50,990 | $80,930 | 1,470 | 0.50 | 1.52 |
| 32 | Idaho profile | $31.41 | $65,330 | $59,820 | $74,720 | 210 | 0.25 | 0.76 |
| 33 | Kentucky profile | $31.36 | $65,230 | $50,840 | $77,270 | 500 | 0.25 | 0.76 |
| 34 | Kansas profile | $31.26 | $65,010 | $55,120 | $77,410 | 660 | 0.46 | 1.39 |
| 35 | Minnesota profile | $31.21 | $64,920 | $56,360 | $73,040 | 540 | 0.18 | 0.56 |
| 36 | Maine profile | $30.90 | $64,270 | $53,230 | $81,220 | 250 | 0.39 | 1.17 |
| 37 | Iowa profile | $30.84 | $64,140 | $47,670 | $79,800 | 400 | 0.25 | 0.77 |
| 38 | Illinois profile | $30.83 | $64,120 | $47,830 | $80,150 | 2,470 | 0.41 | 1.23 |
| 39 | Michigan profile | $30.41 | $63,260 | $52,270 | $79,310 | 1,250 | 0.28 | 0.86 |
| 40 | Nebraska profile | $30.38 | $63,180 | $47,490 | $77,840 | 210 | 0.20 | 0.61 |
| 41 | Wyoming profile | $30.17 | $62,750 | $37,680 | $74,430 | 80 | 0.29 | 0.88 |
| 42 | Ohio profile | $30.15 | $62,700 | $49,500 | $79,600 | 3,890 | 0.70 | 2.13 |
| 43 | Tennessee profile | $30.01 | $62,420 | $23,910 | $78,950 | 1,300 | 0.40 | 1.20 |
| 44 | Alabama profile | $29.93 | $62,250 | $50,120 | $79,600 | 750 | 0.35 | 1.07 |
| 45 | Mississippi profile | $29.64 | $61,650 | $51,920 | $78,320 | 420 | 0.36 | 1.09 |
| 46 | North Dakota profile | $29.31 | $60,970 | $48,760 | $65,540 | 130 | 0.31 | 0.94 |
| 47 | West Virginia profile | $29.02 | $60,370 | $49,280 | $76,940 | 340 | 0.48 | 1.47 |
| 48 | Wisconsin profile | $28.83 | $59,960 | $44,620 | $72,940 | 1,050 | 0.36 | 1.08 |
| 49 | South Dakota profile | $27.01 | $56,180 | $40,110 | $72,800 | 100 | 0.21 | 0.65 |
| 50 | Alaska profile | $25.74 | $53,530 | $34,110 | $95,900 | 60 | 0.19 | 0.56 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (31-2010), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Healthcare Support Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 31-2011 Occupational Therapy Assistants.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 31-2011, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 31-2011.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.