As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Occupational Therapy Assistant in the United States is $62,509 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.
However, an Occupational Therapy Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An 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.
Experience is a primary driver of an 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Occupational Therapy Assistant | $61,049 |
| Intermediate Level Occupational Therapy Assistant | $62,246 |
| Senior Level Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,704 |
| Specialist Level Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,967 |
| Expert Level Occupational Therapy Assistant | $65,143 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Occupational Therapy Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Commitment | 3.73% |
| Billing | 2.47% |
| Clinical Leadership | 1.22% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Collaboration
|
$65,010 |
4%
|
|
Rehabilitation Services
|
$63,759 |
2%
|
|
Organizational Skills
|
$63,759 |
2%
|
|
Empathy
|
$63,759 |
2%
|
|
Communicates Effectively
|
$63,759 |
2%
|
|
Communication Skills
|
$63,759 |
2%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many 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 an Occupational Therapy Assistant with a Associate's Degree is between $60,882 and $64,373).
Occupational Therapy Assistant Salaries by Degree Level
| 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% |
Understanding how an 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.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026Salaries for an Occupational Therapy Assistant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $56,512 in 2023 to around $56,125 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Occupational Therapy Assistant salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $56,512 |
| 2024 | $56,771 |
| 2025 | $56,125 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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