Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Associate's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Occupational therapy assistants support individuals in developing, recovering, or maintaining daily living and working skills. This career combines hands-on work with people and a clear pathway into a growing healthcare field. With national employment of 49,000 and a projected growth rate of 19.2%, the role offers expanding opportunities across the country. The national median annual salary of $68,340 reflects solid earning potential, with higher median pay available in certain states and metro areas. Typical entry requires an associate’s degree, making it accessible for students and career changers who do not want to commit to a longer education path. Successful occupational therapy assistants often draw on strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, creativity, and physical stamina, as well as problem solving and decision making. For those exploring related options, athletic trainers, physical therapist assistants, physical therapists, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, and other therapists are closely related pathways to consider.
Occupational therapy assistants earn a national median annual salary of $68,340, with higher median wages reported in several states and metro areas. Among the top states, California stands out with a median salary of $81,770, while Washington and Colorado also offer higher median pay at $77,590 and $75,340, respectively. Massachusetts reports $75,040 and New York $68,530. At the metro level, some areas show even stronger earning potential. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro has a median salary of $97,860, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports $95,370. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro has a median of $88,250, while New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ offers $74,960 and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $75,300. These figures highlight meaningful regional variation, giving job seekers options to target locations aligned with their salary goals.
Occupational therapy assistants benefit from a combination of sizable current employment and strong projected expansion. National employment stands at 49,000, and the occupation is projected to grow by 19.2%. This growth rate indicates an increase in positions over time rather than a static job market. In addition, there are 7,000 annual openings, reflecting both new jobs from growth and positions that need to be filled as people leave the occupation. Together, these indicators suggest that opportunities should continue to emerge across different regions and work settings. For individuals who value career paths with expanding employment prospects, this role offers a structured option with measurable national demand. Those who later wish to explore related careers can also consider athletic trainers, physical therapist assistants, physical therapists, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, and other therapists as neighboring fields within the broader care and rehabilitation landscape.
Location plays a major role in opportunity levels for occupational therapy assistants. At the state level, California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington all rank highly by opportunity score. California leads with an opportunity score of 67.38, median salary of $81,770, and employment of 3,840. Massachusetts and New York both share the same projected growth rate of 19.2%, with Massachusetts offering a $75,040 median salary and New York $68,530. Colorado and Washington also combine the same projected growth with median salaries above the national median. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ have the highest opportunity scores, 77.42 and 77.27, respectively. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports the highest median salary at $97,860. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also offer strong mixes of salary, employment, and opportunity score, giving job seekers multiple regional options to consider.
The typical education requirement for occupational therapy assistants is an associate’s degree, which can make this profession accessible to students seeking a shorter formal education pathway. This level of education supports entry into a role that blends technical knowledge with people-focused work. The skill profile highlights the importance of interpersonal skills, adaptability, and customer service, reflecting the need to work effectively with diverse individuals. Creativity and innovation, along with problem solving and decision making, support the ability to respond to varying situations. Physical strength and stamina are also important, indicating a job that may involve sustained activity. Additional skills such as leadership, project management, writing and reading, and science contribute to coordinating tasks, documenting work, and understanding relevant concepts. Together, the associate’s degree requirement and these skills form a practical combination for students, career changers, and professionals who want a structured route into a hands-on helping career.
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