Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary
For occupational therapy assistants in the United States, the average salary is $53,090, while the mean hourly wage is $25.52. When looking at the top and bottom 10 percent of earners for this occupation, the annual salary level ranges from about $73,120 to $32,970. Some of the top paying employers for occupational therapy assistants include home healthcare services, nursing care facilities, health practitioner officers and specialty hospitals.
2026 Salary Overview
Pay also varies by location, with the highest average salaries found in the city areas of Las Vegas-Paradise, NV ($73,930), Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($76,360), and Reading, PA ($72,390). Bonuses may be paid to occupational therapy assistants by their employers, and can reach up to $973 per year.
Employment Rate
In the United States, about 29,500 people work as occupational therapy assistants in 2012. Most are employed in health practitioner offices, nursing care facilities and hospitals. There are also occupational therapy assistants who work in schools or deliver home healthcare services.
Job Outlook (2012-2022)
The employment rate for this occupation expected to rise from 2012 to 2022 by 43 percent, with an estimated 12,900 new job openings in the next decade. This growth rate is much faster than the average for all occupations, driven by an aging population that will need more occupational therapy services.
Work Environment
Occupational therapy assistants work in various healthcare settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, schools, and home healthcare services. They work closely with occupational therapists to help patients develop, recover, improve, and maintain skills needed for daily living and working.
Salary Trends Over Time
The chart below shows how occupational therapy assistant salaries have changed over the years, from 2015 to 2026. You can select a specific state to see localized trends or view the national average.
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Salary by State
The following table shows occupational therapy assistant salary data by state, including the lowest 10%, median, highest 10%, and average salaries.
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