Occupational Therapy Aide salary in California
Occupational Therapy Aides in California earn a median of $43,480 a year ($20.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,550 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $39,160. California ranks 7th of 27 states for occupational therapy aides pay. There are 0.02 occupational therapy aides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $46,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapy aides in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| 25th percentile | $39,140 | $18.82 |
| Median | $43,480 | $20.91 |
| 75th percentile | $44,980 | $21.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,550 | $32.96 |
| Average (mean) | $46,930 | $22.56 |
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 | $3,623.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,811.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,672.31 |
| Weekly | $836.15 |
| Hourly | $20.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapy Aide salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $68,550 | 30 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $44,980 | n/a |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $39,820 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapy aides
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| North Carolina | $66,190 |
| New York | $46,220 |
| Washington | $45,890 |
| Nebraska | $44,980 |
| Connecticut | $44,840 |
| New Jersey | $44,470 |
| California | $43,480 |
| New Mexico | $43,170 |
| Massachusetts | $40,160 |
| Colorado | $40,110 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $83,110 | $39.96 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $81,770 | $39.31 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Medical Assistant | $49,660 | $23.88 |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,110 | $24.09 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,130 | $23.62 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $46,260 | $22.24 |
| Massage Therapist | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Phlebotomist | $56,040 | $26.94 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $61,370 | $29.50 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $42,200 | $20.29 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $45,050 | $21.66 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for occupational therapy aides in California is $43,480 a year, or $20.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy aides make in California?
The top 10% of occupational therapy aides in California earn at least $68,550 a year. The top 25% earn $44,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy aides in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,710 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy aides earn $39,140 or less.
How many occupational therapy aides work in California?
About 330 occupational therapy aides are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.