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Occupational therapy assistant: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$72,300median pay per year, or $34.76 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $51,490lowest 10% earn less
  2. $61,71025th percentile
  3. $72,300median
  4. $79,16075th percentile
  5. $89,780top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Occupational therapy assistants earned a median of $72,300 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects 21.5% job growth from 2025 to 2035, and the typical entry education is an associate's degree[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+21.5%[2]
Openings per year
8,100[6]
Typical entry education
Associate's degree[3]

How much do occupational therapy assistants make?

The median pay for an occupational therapy assistant was $72,300 a year, or $34.76 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) was $70,710 a year, or $33.99 an hour[7].

For comparison, the median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[5]. The median for this job is higher than that figure[1][5].

Here is how pay spreads from lower-paid to higher-paid workers:

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[4][8] $51,490 $24.76
25th[4][8] $61,710 $29.67
Median[1] $72,300 $34.76
75th[4][8] $79,160 $38.06
90th[4][8] $89,780 $43.16

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $51,490 a year[4]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9]. These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[10].

Pay by state and city

By state median pay, Maryland came first at $82,010, followed by California at $81,770 and Texas at $81,500[11]. Alaska had the lowest median on the list, at $53,530[11]. Some state figures rest on small job counts. Maryland, for example, had 710 jobs[11].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area had the highest median at $97,860[12]. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara followed at $95,370, then Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom at $95,180[12].

For job counts, Texas had the most with 5,610[13]. Florida had 3,910 and Ohio had 3,890[13]. Among metro areas, New York-Newark-Jersey City had 2,200 jobs and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim had 1,720[14].

Show median pay in 49 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Maryland[11]$82,010710
California$81,7703,840
Texas$81,5005,610
Nevada$79,510220
Arkansas$78,940730
Delaware$78,640220
Washington$77,590720
New Mexico$77,020300
Oregon$76,850250
Georgia$75,9201,060
Colorado$75,340710
Massachusetts$75,0401,410
New Jersey$74,9601,080
Virginia$74,9601,130
South Carolina$73,740830
Arizona$73,4901,120
Montana$72,80060
Connecticut$72,780820
Hawaii$72,71060
Florida$71,6303,910
Pennsylvania$71,5902,560
North Carolina$69,3901,590
New York$68,5302,230
New Hampshire$67,790150
Rhode Island$66,710300
Indiana$66,6601,490
Oklahoma$66,5201,000
District of Columbia$66,39060
Louisiana$66,090760
Utah$66,080280
Missouri$66,0701,470
Idaho$65,330210
Kentucky$65,230500
Kansas$65,010660
Minnesota$64,920540
Maine$64,270250
Iowa$64,140400
Illinois$64,1202,470
Michigan$63,2601,250
Nebraska$63,180210
Wyoming$62,75080
Ohio$62,7003,890
Tennessee$62,4201,300
Alabama$62,250750
Mississippi$61,650420
North Dakota$60,970130
West Virginia$60,370340
Wisconsin$59,9601,050
South Dakota$56,180100
Alaska$53,53060

How to become an occupational therapy assistant

The training details in this section come from a BLS profile that covers occupational therapy assistants together with related occupations[15]. Here are the steps it describes[16]:

1) Earn an associate's degree. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry education[3]. The profile says it should come from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program, and some bachelor's programs also exist[16][17]. 2) Plan for about two years of study. Associate's programs generally take 2 years of full-time study[18]. Coursework covers subjects such as anatomy, psychology and kinesiology[18]. 3) Complete fieldwork. Students also do several months of fieldwork to get hands-on experience[18]. 4) Get licensed. A state-issued license is usually needed[19]. Getting one involves an accredited program, fieldwork and an exam, and some states add steps such as a background check[19]. 5) Earn the COTA title if you want it. Passing the exam lets assistants use the title Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)[20]. Continuing education is needed to keep the certification[20]. 6) Check for CPR and basic life support. Assistants and aides may need these certifications[21]. Optional certifications in specialized areas, such as low vision, also exist[22].

BLS shows no work experience in a related job and no on-the-job training as typical for entry[3]. In an O*NET survey of 17 workers, 92% said an associate's degree is the education level required[23].

With more education, assistants may advance to become occupational therapists[24].

What occupational therapy assistants do

Occupational therapy assistants help occupational therapists treat patients[25]. Tasks listed by O*NET include:

BLS also names adaptability and compassion as important qualities. Assistants may need to work creatively with therapists, and they often help clients who feel frustrated[27][28].

Where they work

BLS reports that 39% of occupational therapy assistants and aides worked in offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists in 2025[29]. That was the largest employer group listed[29].

The work is physical. Assistants and aides spend much of their time standing. Kneeling and stooping are constant, and lifting a client is sometimes needed[30]. BLS says most assistants and aides work full time, though part-time work is common. Evening or weekend hours may be needed to fit clients' schedules[31].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of occupational therapy assistants to grow 21.5% from 2025 to 2035[2]. That would take jobs from about 52,200 to 63,400, a change of 11,200[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[32].

About 8,100 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings count jobs that free up when people retire or switch to a different occupation, as well as brand-new jobs[6]. Each year, 5.5% of workers leave the labor force and 6.5% move to a different occupation[33].

Job counts differ by source. OEWS counted about 51,290 wage and salary jobs in May 2025[34]. The projection counts include self-employed workers[2].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with pay above the all-occupations median[1][5] and projected growth well above the all-occupations rate[2][32]. Entry usually takes a 2-year associate's degree with fieldwork[18], and a state license is usually needed[19]. The day-to-day work is physical, with standing, kneeling and some lifting[30]. It may suit people who want hands-on patient work and are comfortable with a licensing step. Pay varies by place, so check your own state's figures in the table below[11].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an occupational therapy assistant make an hour?
The median was $34.76 an hour in May 2025[1]. The hourly 10th percentile was $24.76 and the 90th was $43.16[8].
How long does it take to become an occupational therapy assistant?
Associate's degree programs generally take 2 years of full-time study, plus several months of fieldwork[18].
What degree do you need to be an occupational therapy assistant?
BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry education[3]. A state license is usually needed too[19].
Are occupational therapy assistants in demand?
BLS projects 21.5% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 8,100 openings a year[2][32][6].
What is the highest paying state for occupational therapy assistants?
Maryland had the highest median at $82,010, followed by California at $81,770[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Occupational Therapy Assistants in the US was $72,300 per year and $34.76 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Occupational Therapy Assistants is projected to grow 21.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 52,200 to 63,400 jobs (a change of +11,200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Occupational Therapy Assistants: education needed for entry: Associate's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Occupational Therapy Assistants: 10th percentile $51,490, 25th percentile $61,710, 75th percentile $79,160, 90th percentile $89,780. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 8,100 openings for Occupational Therapy Assistants are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Occupational Therapy Assistants was $70,710 per year and $33.99 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Occupational Therapy Assistants: 10th percentile $24.76, 25th percentile $29.67, 75th percentile $38.06, 90th percentile $43.16. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Occupational Therapy Assistants in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Occupational Therapy Assistants (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $97,860; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $95,370; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $95,180; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $88,250; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $82,680; Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $82,620; Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $81,500; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $81,340. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Occupational Therapy Assistants jobs: Texas 5,610; Florida 3,910; Ohio 3,890; California 3,840; Pennsylvania 2,560. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Occupational Therapy Assistants jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,200 (median $74,960); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,720 (median $78,090); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 1,710 (median $67,840); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 1,220 (median $81,170); Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX 1,190 (median $81,500); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 1,090 (median $71,310). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides" covers Occupational Therapy Assistants together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 31-2011.00 survey of workers (17 respondents), education level they say is required: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 92%, Some College Courses 5% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET description of Occupational Therapy Assistants. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Occupational Therapy Assistants. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of occupational therapy assistants and aides in 2025: Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists 39%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Occupational Therapy Assistants: 5.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 51,290 people were employed as Occupational Therapy Assistants in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.