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Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Salary in the United States

How much does a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) in the United States is $61,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

However, a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)'s salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $72,090
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,600 to $66,900
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,501
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View as table View as graph 25% $55,600 10% $50,501 90% $72,090 75% $66,900 $61,200 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $66,900 $5,575 $1,287 $32
Average $61,200 $5,100 $1,177 $29
25th Percentile $55,600 $4,633 $1,069 $27
Check out Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Job Openings in the United States
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Alternate Solutions Health Network - Columbus, OH

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Ohio Living Home Health - Columbus, OH

Occupational Therapy

Genie Healthcare - Columbus, OH

Occupational Therapy

Vibra Travels - Columbus, OH

Search More Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Salaries

A Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)'s salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)'s salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $60,197
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $61,370
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $63,752
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $64,007
  • Expert (over 8 years): $64,178
Levels Salary
Entry Level Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)$60,197
Intermediate Level Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)$61,370
Senior Level Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)$63,752
Specialist Level Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)$64,007
Expert Level Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)$64,178
$60,197 0 yr
$61,370 < 2 yrs
$63,752 2-4 yrs
$64,007 5-8 yrs
$64,178 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)s

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $77,100
  • San Francisco: $76,300
  • Oakland: $74,700

What Skills Can Increase a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)'s Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.73% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Billing (Mentioned in 2.47% Job Postings): Billing refers to the aspect of banking, whereby someone is charged accurately for what item they purchased.
  • Clinical Leadership (Mentioned in 1.22% Job Postings): Overseeing and coordinating clinical operations while balancing patients' and business needs to achieve quality and safety of care outcomes.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.73%
Billing 2.47%
Clinical Leadership 1.22%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)'s salary.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Rehabilitation Services: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Organizational Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Collaboration
$63,648
4%
Rehabilitation Services
$62,424
2%
Organizational Skills
$62,424
2%
Empathy
$62,424
2%
Communicates Effectively
$62,424
2%
Communication Skills
$62,424
2%
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Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $64,916. While startup companies pay approximate $55,318.

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$55,318
Growth Stage51~500$58,395
Established501~5000$62,793
Enterprise5000+$64,916

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) positions in Edu., Government & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$67,320$32.010%

How Education impacts a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)'s Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)s enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) with a Associate's Degree is between $60,624 and $64,100).

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 4.2%
Associates 84.8%
Bachelors 8.8%
Masters 1.8%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)'s annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Occupational Therapy Department Leader role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $127,490 - a projected growth of 108% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Salaries for a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,644 in 2023 to around $55,263 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$55,644
2024
$55,899
2025
$55,263
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $55,644
2024 $55,899
2025 $55,263
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Here are companies hiring for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President, Internal Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare industry. Indu... more

    14 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Credit Risk Strategy & Data Science. About the Company. High-growth SMB lender building the next generation of credit decisioning. Industry... more

    19 Days Ago

  • KreilKamp Trucking

    Columbus, OH

    KreilKamp Trucking | Columbus, OH

    Regional CDL A Drivers | NEW Grads Welcome | Earn $70,000+ Annually. We're proud to be a 4th generation family truck line, started in 1935, but even proude... more

    19 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Payments Engineering. About the Company. Globally-recognized provider of corporate payment solutions. Industry. Financial Services. Type. P... more

    21 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery. About the Company. A multi-billion-dollar construction organization with collaborative, servant-minded leadershi... more

    21 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Chief of Staff. About the Company. Innovative travel platform for booking & managing work trips. Industry. Computer Software. Type. Privately Held, VC-back... more

    21 Days Ago

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FAQ about Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. Are COTAs in high demand?

Yes, COTAs are in high demand, with a projected job growth of 32% from 2019 to 2029, according to the BLS. This demand is reflected in their salary range, with a minimum salary of $57,900, a mid-salary of $64,200, and a maximum salary of $71,000, making it a promising career choice.

3. What state pays cotas the most?

The salary data for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) indicates a minimum salary of $57,900, a mid-range salary of $64,200, and a maximum salary of $71,000. While states like California, Washington, and New Jersey offer higher salaries, the average COTA salary remains within this range across various locations.

4. Are COTAs in high demand?

COTAs are indeed in high demand, with a projected job growth of 32% from 2019 to 2029, significantly outpacing the average for all occupations. This demand is reflected in their salary range, with a minimum of $57,900, a mid-salary of $64,200, and a maximum of $71,000, making it an attractive career choice.

5. How much do occupational therapy assistants make in the US?

Occupational therapy assistants in the US earn between $57,900 and $71,000 annually, with a median salary of $64,200. This reflects a range where the lowest earners make around $57,900, while the highest earners can make up to $71,000.

6. What is the highest salary of OT assistant?

The highest salary for a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) is $71,000. Salary data indicates a minimum of $57,900 and a mid-range salary of $64,200, reflecting the earnings potential for COTAs based on experience and location.

7. What type of OTA makes the most money?

The salary for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) typically ranges from a minimum of $57,900 to a maximum of $71,000, with a median salary of $64,200. While some industries may offer higher pay, COTAs generally earn well within this range, reflecting their valuable contributions in various healthcare settings.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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