National Salary Overview
VS
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Median Salary
$64,700
Average (Mean)
$65,474
Employed Nationwide
46,090
Occupational Therapy Assistants earns $18,488 more (40.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$46,211
$64,700
Average (Mean) Salary
$46,931
$65,474
Total Employment
370,670
46,090
States with Higher Pay
4
47
Salary by State: Dental Assistants vs Occupational Therapy Assistants
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dental Assistants pays more in 4 states; Occupational Therapy Assistants pays more in 47.
| State | Dental Assistants | Occupational Therapy Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,120 | $62,070 | $-25,950 | ||
| Alaska | $51,820 | $43,360 | +$8,460 | ||
| Arizona | $48,190 | $70,180 | $-21,990 | ||
| Arkansas | $38,590 | $74,580 | $-35,990 | ||
| California | $48,210 | $80,360 | $-32,150 | ||
| Colorado | $48,950 | $65,790 | $-16,840 | ||
| Connecticut | $49,510 | $68,090 | $-18,580 | ||
| Delaware | $46,320 | $76,930 | $-30,610 | ||
| District of Columbia | $52,880 | $79,670 | $-26,790 | ||
| Florida | $46,600 | $68,740 | $-22,140 | ||
| Georgia | $45,670 | $71,210 | $-25,540 | ||
| Hawaii | $44,880 | $61,690 | $-16,810 | ||
| Idaho | $37,700 | $33,510 | +$4,190 | ||
| Illinois | $43,590 | $60,370 | $-16,780 | ||
| Indiana | $46,380 | $58,570 | $-12,190 | ||
| Iowa | $47,580 | $61,360 | $-13,780 | ||
| Kansas | $39,290 | $65,450 | $-26,160 | ||
| Kentucky | $38,530 | $64,850 | $-26,320 | ||
| Louisiana | $38,180 | $67,200 | $-29,020 | ||
| Maine | $47,060 | $59,030 | $-11,970 | ||
| Maryland | $47,920 | $76,030 | $-28,110 | ||
| Massachusetts | $58,860 | $72,160 | $-13,300 | ||
| Michigan | $45,740 | $62,580 | $-16,840 | ||
| Minnesota | $62,870 | $61,120 | +$1,750 | ||
| Mississippi | $36,710 | $61,080 | $-24,370 | ||
| Missouri | $45,760 | $59,990 | $-14,230 | ||
| Montana | $44,400 | $62,860 | $-18,460 | ||
| Nebraska | $44,480 | $60,530 | $-16,050 | ||
| Nevada | $46,330 | $75,130 | $-28,800 | ||
| New Hampshire | $56,360 | $62,980 | $-6,620 | ||
| New Jersey | $46,790 | $76,360 | $-29,570 | ||
| New Mexico | $38,480 | $59,850 | $-21,370 | ||
| New York | $45,590 | $64,900 | $-19,310 | ||
| North Carolina | $47,000 | $70,750 | $-23,750 | ||
| North Dakota | $57,040 | $56,230 | +$810 | ||
| Ohio | $46,450 | $62,470 | $-16,020 | ||
| Oklahoma | $38,940 | $64,890 | $-25,950 | ||
| Oregon | $57,040 | $66,020 | $-8,980 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $46,680 | $60,000 | $-13,320 | ||
| Rhode Island | $47,120 | $60,570 | $-13,450 | ||
| South Carolina | $46,490 | $71,610 | $-25,120 | ||
| South Dakota | $47,490 | $53,550 | $-6,060 | ||
| Tennessee | $45,190 | $62,120 | $-16,930 | ||
| Texas | $39,640 | $75,000 | $-35,360 | ||
| Utah | $37,140 | $56,160 | $-19,020 | ||
| Vermont | $49,730 | $67,660 | $-17,930 | ||
| Virginia | $48,000 | $71,910 | $-23,910 | ||
| Washington | $55,700 | $72,950 | $-17,250 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,360 | $63,490 | $-26,130 | ||
| Wisconsin | $45,970 | $60,950 | $-14,980 | ||
| Wyoming | $47,450 | $54,790 | $-7,340 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Dental Assistants or Occupational Therapy Assistants?
On average across all states, a Occupational Therapy Assistants earns more than a Dental Assistants. The national median salary difference is $18,488 (40.0%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Dental Assistants earn more than a Occupational Therapy Assistants?
A Dental Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Occupational Therapy Assistants in 4 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Occupational Therapy Assistants pays more in 47 states.
What is the median salary for a Dental Assistants vs Occupational Therapy Assistants?
The national median salary for a Dental Assistants is $46,211 per year, compared to $64,700 for a Occupational Therapy Assistants, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dental Assistants or Occupational Therapy Assistants?
There are more people employed as Dental Assistants. BLS reports approximately 370,670 Dental Assistants positions and 46,090 Occupational Therapy Assistants positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Dental Assistants or Occupational Therapy Assistants?
Both Dental Assistants and Occupational Therapy Assistants are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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