How much does an Occupational Therapy Aide make?
Occupational Therapy Aides in the United States bring home a median salary of $39,160 a year, or around $18.83 an hour. Pay spans a wide range: the bottom 10% earn under $29,430, while the top 10% earn $70,200.
That is $22,230 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Occupational Therapy Aide salary range by percentile
Half of all Occupational Therapy Aides earn between $35,920 and $46,780 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,430 | $14.15 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $35,920 | $17.27 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,160 | $18.83 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,780 | $22.49 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,200 | $33.75 |
Highest-paying states for Occupational Therapy Aide
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. North Carolina leads the country for Occupational Therapy Aide pay at $66,190 a year, followed by New York ($46,220) and Washington ($45,890). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $24,300 — a gap of $41,890 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina | $66,190 | $31.82 | +69% |
| 2 | New York | $46,220 | $22.22 | +18% |
| 3 | Washington | $45,890 | $22.06 | +17% |
| 4 | Nebraska | $44,980 | $21.63 | +15% |
| 5 | Connecticut | $44,840 | $21.56 | +15% |
Occupational Therapy Aide salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 27 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 4,000 people work as Occupational Therapy Aides in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $44,110 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Occupational Therapy Aide make in the United States?
How does Occupational Therapy Aide pay compare to other jobs?
Which state pays Occupational Therapy Aides the most?
How long does it take to become an Occupational Therapy Aide?
How many Occupational Therapy Aides work in the United States?
Related salaries
Other healthcare roles with similar pay.