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Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant in the United States is $61,107 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $72,161
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,505 to $66,893
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,405
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Salaries

A Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant'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 Therapist Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant'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): $60,104
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $61,280
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $63,698
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $63,957
  • Expert (over 8 years): $64,130
Levels Salary
Entry Level Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant$60,104
Intermediate Level Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant$61,280
Senior Level Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant$63,698
Specialist Level Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant$63,957
Expert Level Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant$64,130
View as Graph

How Do Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant 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 Therapist Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $67,658.
  • California: $67,401.
  • Massachusetts: $66,503.

Top Paying Cities for Certified Occupational Therapist Assistants

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: $77,074
  • San Francisco: $76,230
  • Oakland: $74,624

What Skills Can Increase a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant'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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.73%
Billing 2.47%
Clinical Leadership 1.22%
See More Skills

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 Therapist Assistant'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 $63,551
4%
Rehabilitation Services $62,329
2%
Organizational Skills $62,329
2%
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Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $64,858. While startup companies pay approximate $55,233.

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $55,233
Growth Stage 51~500 $58,319
Established 501~5000 $62,723
Enterprise 5000+ $64,858

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant 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 Therapist Assistant positions in Edu., Government & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$67,218$32.010%

How Education impacts a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant's Salary?

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

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant with a Bachelor's Degree is between $61,160 and $64,677.

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant
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%
View as Graph

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant'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 September 01, 2026
$55,505
Average $61,107/year
$66,893
$4,625
Average $5,092/month
$5,574
$1,067
Average $1,175/week
$1,286
$27
Average $29/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $66,893 $5,574 $1,286 $32
Average $61,107 $5,092 $1,175 $29
25th Percentile $55,505 $4,625 $1,067 $27

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Salary Growth & Career Path

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Next Role

For a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Occupational Therapy Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $127,506 - a projected growth of 109% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

1. Where can a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant earn the most?

A Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant is $77,074.

2. What is the highest pay for Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant?

The highest pay for Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant is $72,161.

3. What is the lowest pay for Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant?

The lowest pay for Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant is $50,405.

4. What are the responsibilities of Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant?

Assists an Occupational Therapist with rehabilitative activities to help patients develop, regain, or maintain their ability to perform daily activities. Prepares rehab equipment used during treatment and educates the patient on the use of adaptive equipment. Records and documents session notes to maintain accurate patient records and summarize progress. Provides routine rehabilitative services and common assessments to patients to support established treatment plans. Requires an associate degree. Requires Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA). Typically reports to an occupational therapist. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant?

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

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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