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Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant in the United States is $60,396 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $71,404
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $54,966 to $66,158
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,022
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $54,966 10% $50,022 90% $71,404 75% $66,158 $60,396 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $66,158 $5,513 $1,272 $32
Average $60,396 $5,033 $1,161 $29
25th Percentile $54,966 $4,581 $1,057 $26
Check out Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Openings in the United States
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Ohio Living Home Health - Columbus, OH

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant - COTA

Synchrony Rehab - Columbus, OH

Part Time Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

CommuniCare Corporate - Columbus, OH

PRN Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

CommuniCare Corporate - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Salaries

A Certified Occupational Therapy 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 Therapy Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Certified Occupational Therapy 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): $58,988
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $60,142
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $62,514
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $62,769
  • Expert (over 8 years): $62,938
Levels Salary
Entry Level Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant$58,988
Intermediate Level Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant$60,142
Senior Level Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant$62,514
Specialist Level Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant$62,769
Expert Level Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant$62,938
$58,988 0 yr
$60,142 < 2 yrs
$62,514 2-4 yrs
$62,769 5-8 yrs
$62,938 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Certified Occupational Therapy 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: $76,178
  • San Francisco: $75,344
  • Oakland: $73,756

What Skills Can Increase a Certified Occupational Therapy 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.
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'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
 $62,812
4%
Rehabilitation Services
 $61,604
2%
Organizational Skills
 $61,604
2%
Empathy
 $61,604
2%
Communicates Effectively
 $61,604
2%
Communication Skills
 $61,604
2%
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Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industry for a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$66,436$32.010%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants 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 with a Associate's Degree is between $60,882 and $64,373).

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Certified Occupational Therapy 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%
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Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Certified Occupational Therapy 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$54,966
Average $60,396/year
$66,158
$4,581
Average $5,033/month
$5,513
$1,057
Average $1,161/week
$1,272
$26
Average $29/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $66,158 $5,513 $1,272 $32
Average $60,396 $5,033 $1,161 $29
25th Percentile $54,966 $4,581 $1,057 $26

Salaries of jobs related to Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Salary Trends for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Salaries for a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $54,609 in 2023 to around $54,235 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$54,609
2024
$54,859
2025
$54,235
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $54,609
2024 $54,859
2025 $54,235
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

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

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

Find Your Next Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Job

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

United States

  • Concept Rehab, Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    PRN Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

    Concept Rehab, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Flexible Schedule | Therapist-Owned & Operated. We are currently seeking PRN Certified Occupational Therap... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Reliant Rehabilitation

    Columbus, OH

    Occupational Therapy Assistant

    Reliant Rehabilitation | Columbus, OH

    Job Title. Occupational Therapy Assistant. Job Description. This position may be offered as a Full-Time or PRN opening, depending on several factors. Pleas... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Life Care Center of Blount County

    Columbus, OH

    Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

    Life Care Center of Blount County | Columbus, OH

    Live The Mission. The COTA Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant provides direct rehab care in occupational therapy to patients upon physician referra... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Elara Caring

    Columbus, OH

    Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Home Health COTA

    Elara Caring | Columbus, OH

    Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant. At Elara Caring, we have a unique opportunity to play a huge role in the growth of an entire home care industry... more

    7 Days Ago

  • TGL Medstaff

    Columbus, OH

    Therapy

    TGL Medstaff | Columbus, OH

    Occupational Therapist. Travel profession job. Weekly pay between $1799 and $2270. Shift details include 8 hour days. Job order starts on 08/03/2026 and en... more

    7 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Physician Emergency Medicine Ohio Permanent Emergency Medicine Physician near Columbus Ohio Job

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Emergency Medicine Physician Needed near Columbus, Ohio. An excellent opportunity for a full-time EM Physician to join an Emergency Department team near Co... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

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

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Certified Occupational Therapy 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.)

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