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Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA Salary in the United States

How much does an Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA in the United States is $69,659 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,304
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,846 to $76,802
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $56,643
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA Salaries

An 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 Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an 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): $60,680
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $61,867
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $64,308
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $64,569
  • Expert (over 8 years): $64,744
Levels Salary
Entry Level Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA$60,680
Intermediate Level Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA$61,867
Senior Level Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA$64,308
Specialist Level Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA$64,569
Expert Level Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA$64,744
View as Graph

How Do 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 Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTAs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $77,127.
  • California: $76,834.
  • Massachusetts: $75,810.

Top Paying Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTAs

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: $87,861
  • San Francisco: $86,899
  • Oakland: $85,068

What Skills Can Increase an 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.
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 an 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 $72,446
4%
Rehabilitation Services $71,052
2%
Organizational Skills $71,052
2%
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Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industry for an Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$76,625$37.010%

How Education impacts an Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA's Salary?

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

Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for 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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Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an 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 October 01, 2026
$62,846
Average $69,659/year
$76,802
$5,237
Average $5,805/month
$6,400
$1,209
Average $1,340/week
$1,477
$30
Average $33/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $76,802 $6,400 $1,477 $37
Average $69,659 $5,805 $1,340 $33
25th Percentile $62,846 $5,237 $1,209 $30

Most common benefits for Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA

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

Common company salaries for Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA

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

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FAQ about Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA

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

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA 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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