Occupational Therapy Aide salary in Pennsylvania
Occupational Therapy Aides in Pennsylvania earn a median of $37,100 a year ($17.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,230 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $39,160. Pennsylvania ranks 17th of 27 states for occupational therapy aides pay. There are 0.05 occupational therapy aides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapy aides in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,420 | $16.55 |
| 25th percentile | $36,380 | $17.49 |
| Median | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| 75th percentile | $39,160 | $18.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Average (mean) | $41,740 | $20.07 |
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 | $3,091.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,545.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,426.92 |
| Weekly | $713.46 |
| Hourly | $17.84 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $40,200 | 70 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $37,100 | 150 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,580 | $30.09 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $71,590 | $34.42 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $29,420 | $14.14 |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,590 | $21.44 |
| Medical Assistant | $43,920 | $21.12 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,930 | $23.05 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,910 | $21.11 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $45,160 | $21.71 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| Orderly | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $44,790 | $21.53 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for occupational therapy aides in Pennsylvania is $37,100 a year, or $17.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy aides make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of occupational therapy aides in Pennsylvania earn at least $68,230 a year. The top 25% earn $39,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy aides in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,420 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy aides earn $36,380 or less.
How many occupational therapy aides work in Pennsylvania?
About 320 occupational therapy aides are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.