Occupational Therapy Aide salary in the U.S.
Occupational Therapy Aides in the U.S. earn a median of $39,160 a year ($18.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,200 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $44,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapy aides in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,430 | $14.15 |
| 25th percentile | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Median | $39,160 | $18.83 |
| 75th percentile | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,200 | $33.75 |
| Average (mean) | $44,110 | $21.21 |
Half of occupational therapy aides earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,263.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,631.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,506.15 |
| Weekly | $753.08 |
| Hourly | $18.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapy Aide salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $66,190 | 250 |
| New York | $46,220 | 250 |
| Washington | $45,890 | 190 |
| Nebraska | $44,980 | 90 |
| Connecticut | $44,840 | 110 |
| New Jersey | $44,470 | n/a |
| California | $43,480 | 330 |
| New Mexico | $43,170 | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $40,160 | 90 |
| Colorado | $40,110 | 40 |
| District of Columbia | $39,620 | n/a |
| Michigan | $39,050 | 60 |
| Missouri | $38,890 | 110 |
| Indiana | $38,250 | n/a |
| Georgia | $38,090 | 200 |
| Texas | $37,180 | 410 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,100 | 320 |
| Wisconsin | $36,760 | 40 |
| Nevada | $36,440 | 100 |
| Ohio | $36,380 | 200 |
| Oklahoma | $34,670 | 90 |
| Maryland | $33,310 | n/a |
| Idaho | $32,590 | 120 |
| South Carolina | $31,950 | 50 |
| Louisiana | $28,560 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $27,840 | 40 |
| Mississippi | $24,300 | 50 |
Best-paying metro areas for occupational therapy aides
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $68,550 | 30 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $46,320 | 40 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $46,260 | 200 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $45,840 | 100 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $44,980 | n/a |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $43,270 | 50 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $42,790 | 110 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $41,400 | 70 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $40,200 | 70 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $39,950 | 50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $39,820 | n/a |
| Cleveland, OH | $38,860 | 60 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $38,600 | 60 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $38,550 | 130 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $38,430 | 30 |
Metro areas with the most occupational therapy aides
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 200 | $46,260 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 150 | $37,100 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 130 | $38,090 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 130 | $38,550 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 110 | $42,790 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 100 | $45,840 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 70 | $41,400 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 70 | $40,200 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 60 | $35,340 |
| Cleveland, OH | 60 | $38,860 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 60 | $36,920 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 60 | $34,110 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 60 | $38,600 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 50 | $43,270 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | 50 | $39,950 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $68,380 | $32.88 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $72,300 | $34.76 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,240 | $16.94 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 | $21.75 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,150 | $18.34 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,430 | $23.28 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,700 | $22.93 |
| Orderly | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $40,410 | $19.43 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapy aide make in the U.S.?
The median salary for occupational therapy aides in the U.S. is $39,160 a year, or $18.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy aides make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of occupational therapy aides in the U.S. earn at least $70,200 a year. The top 25% earn $46,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy aides in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,430 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy aides earn $35,920 or less.
How many occupational therapy aides work in the U.S.?
About 4,310 occupational therapy aides are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.