What are the main factors that influence a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)'s salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)'s salary?

A Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)'s salary grows with experience: starting around $66,630 for beginners, reaching about $70,636 at mid-level, and approach $71,115 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)?

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) roles are District of Columbia $67,700, California $67,500, Massachusetts $66,600. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) roles make?

Salaries for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) level roles vary by specialization: Occupational Therapy Manager: $127,311; Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy: $86,013; Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Home Care: $66,400; Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA / OTA / PRN: $65,964; Occupational Therapy Assistant: $62,509.

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Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) make in District of Columbia?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) in District of Columbia is $67,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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): $79,927
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,500 to $74,100
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $55,855

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Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$74,100	$6,175	$1,425	$36
Average	$67,700	$5,642	$1,302	$33
25th Percentile	$61,500	$5,125	$1,183	$30

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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 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): $66,630
Early Career (1-2 years): $67,952
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $70,636
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $70,924
Expert (over 8 years): $71,115

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)	$66,630
Intermediate Level Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)	$67,952
Senior Level Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)	$70,636
Specialist Level Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)	$70,924
Expert Level Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)	$71,115

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How Do Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)s. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $67,700.
California: $67,500.
Massachusetts: $66,600.

District of Columbia $67,700 California $67,500 Massachusetts $66,600 Washington $66,300 New Jersey $66,300 Alaska $66,200 Connecticut $65,400 New York $65,000

Hawaii $63,900 Rhode Island $63,400 Maryland $63,100 Minnesota $62,600 Colorado $62,400 Illinois $62,300 Oregon $62,100 Delaware $61,900

New Hampshire $61,800 Virginia $61,600 Pennsylvania $60,900 Nevada $60,500 North Dakota $60,400 Michigan $60,200 Wisconsin $60,200 Vermont $60,000

Texas $59,700 Ohio $59,600 Maine $59,600 Arizona $59,600 Georgia $59,000 Indiana $58,700 Wyoming $58,700 Utah $58,600

Iowa $58,500 Kansas $58,200 Louisiana $58,200 North Carolina $58,100 Missouri $58,100 Florida $57,900 Montana $57,800 Nebraska $57,600

Kentucky $57,600 South Carolina $57,300 Tennessee $57,200 Idaho $57,100 New Mexico $56,700 Oklahoma $56,600 Alabama $56,200 South Dakota $55,600

Arkansas $55,300 West Virginia $55,100 Mississippi $54,600

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:

Parcel Return Service: $67,700
Washington: $67,700
Naval Anacost Annex: $67,700

Parcel Return Service, DC $67,700 Washington, DC $67,700 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $67,700 Washington Navy Yard, DC $67,700

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 January 01, 2026

$61,500

Average $67,700/year

$74,100

$5,125

Average $5,642/month

$6,175

$1,183

Average $1,302/week

$1,425

$30

Average $33/hour

$36

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$74,100	$6,175	$1,425	$36
Average	$67,700	$5,642	$1,302	$33
25th Percentile	$61,500	$5,125	$1,183	$30

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

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Occupational Therapy Department Leader

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 $140,960 - a projected growth of 108% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

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