How much does a occupational therapy aide make?
The median occupational therapy aide in the United States earns $39,160 per year, about $18.83 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all occupational therapy aides earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 31-2012.
Occupational therapy aide salary range
Pay for occupational therapy aides spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $29,430 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $70,200. The average (mean) wage of $44,110 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,430 | $14.15 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $35,920 | $17.27 | |
| Median (50th) | $39,160 | $18.83 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $46,780 | $22.49 | |
| 90th percentile | $70,200 | $33.75 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for occupational therapy aides (SOC 31-2012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Occupational therapy aide salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Occupational therapy aides earn the most in North Carolina at $66,190 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $24,300. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
State median wages for occupational therapy aides (SOC 31-2012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for occupational therapy aides
The BLS projects employment of occupational therapy aides to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 4,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 4,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 600 openings a year for occupational therapy aides. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an occupational therapy aide
The typical entry-level education for occupational therapy aides is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an occupational therapy aide earns
Certification, work setting, shift, and region shape pay. Hospitals and high cost metros pay above clinics, nursing homes, and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (North Carolina, $66,190) and the lowest (Mississippi, $24,300) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 4,310 people work as occupational therapy aides in the United States. At $39,160 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Occupational therapy aide salary FAQ
How much does an occupational therapy aide make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an occupational therapy aide is $18.83. The middle half of occupational therapy aides earn between $17.27 and $22.49 per hour.
What is the highest occupational therapy aide salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of occupational therapy aides earn more than $70,200 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an occupational therapy aide make a year?
The median annual salary for an occupational therapy aide is $39,160. The average (mean) wage of $44,110 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an occupational therapy aide a well paid job?
At $39,160 a year, an occupational therapy aide earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 4,310 people work as occupational therapy aides in the United States.
Which state pays occupational therapy aides the most?
North Carolina has the highest median salary for occupational therapy aides at $66,190 a year. New York ($46,220) and Washington ($45,890) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an occupational therapy aide a good career?
Employment of occupational therapy aides is projected to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an occupational therapy aide?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for occupational therapy aides as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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