Salary AI Book a Demo

Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA Salary in California

How much does an Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA make in California?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA in California is $76,834 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $91,885
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,319 to $84,712
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,477
Salary Factors 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 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): $66,930
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $68,239
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $70,931
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $71,220
  • Expert (over 8 years): $71,412
Levels Salary
Entry Level Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA$66,930
Intermediate Level Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA$68,239
Senior Level Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA$70,931
Specialist Level Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA$71,220
Expert Level Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA$71,412
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:

  • Los Angeles: $76,966
  • West Hollywood: $76,911
  • Dodgertown: $76,966

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$84,518$41.010%

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
$69,319
Average $76,834/year
$84,712
$5,777
Average $6,403/month
$7,059
$1,333
Average $1,478/week
$1,629
$33
Average $37/hour
$41
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $84,712 $7,059 $1,629 $41
Average $76,834 $6,403 $1,478 $37
25th Percentile $69,319 $5,777 $1,333 $33

Find Your Next Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA Job

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

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst