Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in Pennsylvania
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Pennsylvania earn a median of $71,590 a year ($34.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,790 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $72,300. Pennsylvania ranks 21st of 50 states for occupational therapy assistants pay. There are 0.42 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,750, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,690 | $26.78 |
| 25th percentile | $61,240 | $29.44 |
| Median | $71,590 | $34.42 |
| 75th percentile | $74,960 | $36.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,790 | $37.40 |
| Average (mean) | $67,750 | $32.57 |
Half of occupational therapy assistants 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 | $5,965.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,982.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,753.46 |
| Weekly | $1,376.73 |
| Hourly | $34.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $76,440 | 940 |
| Lancaster, PA | $72,170 | 70 |
| Reading, PA | $72,110 | 40 |
| Williamsport, PA | $64,650 | 40 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $64,310 | 140 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $64,180 | 50 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $63,740 | 70 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $61,900 | 370 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $61,230 | 130 |
| Altoona, PA | $60,310 | 40 |
| Erie, PA | $58,470 | 40 |
| Johnstown, PA | $56,120 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapy assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $82,010 |
| California | $81,770 |
| Texas | $81,500 |
| Nevada | $79,510 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 |
| Delaware | $78,640 |
| Washington | $77,590 |
| New Mexico | $77,020 |
| Oregon | $76,850 |
| Georgia | $75,920 |
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,580 | $30.09 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| 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 31-2011. 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 assistant make in Pennsylvania?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in Pennsylvania is $71,590 a year, or $34.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in Pennsylvania earn at least $77,790 a year. The top 25% earn $74,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,690 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $61,240 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in Pennsylvania?
About 2,560 occupational therapy assistants are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.