National Salary Overview
VS
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Median Salary
$69,025
Average (Mean)
$68,781
Employed Nationwide
51,290
Occupational Therapy Assistants earns $19,925 more (40.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$49,100
$69,025
Average (Mean) Salary
$49,858
$68,781
Total Employment
384,650
51,290
States with Higher Pay
2
47
Salary by State: Dental Assistants vs Occupational Therapy Assistants
Showing 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dental Assistants pays more in 2 states; Occupational Therapy Assistants pays more in 47.
| State | Dental Assistants | Occupational Therapy Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $39,080 | $62,250 | $-23,170 | ||
| Alaska | $57,710 | $53,530 | +$4,180 | ||
| Arizona | $49,000 | $73,490 | $-24,490 | ||
| Arkansas | $42,830 | $78,940 | $-36,110 | ||
| California | $50,110 | $81,770 | $-31,660 | ||
| Colorado | $48,340 | $75,340 | $-27,000 | ||
| Connecticut | $56,850 | $72,780 | $-15,930 | ||
| Delaware | $47,600 | $78,640 | $-31,040 | ||
| District of Columbia | $60,580 | $66,390 | $-5,810 | ||
| Florida | $47,620 | $71,630 | $-24,010 | ||
| Georgia | $46,840 | $75,920 | $-29,080 | ||
| Hawaii | $44,720 | $72,710 | $-27,990 | ||
| Idaho | $45,880 | $65,330 | $-19,450 | ||
| Illinois | $48,610 | $64,120 | $-15,510 | ||
| Indiana | $48,670 | $66,660 | $-17,990 | ||
| Iowa | $48,430 | $64,140 | $-15,710 | ||
| Kentucky | $47,730 | $65,230 | $-17,500 | ||
| Louisiana | $44,090 | $66,090 | $-22,000 | ||
| Maine | $60,070 | $64,270 | $-4,200 | ||
| Maryland | $48,620 | $82,010 | $-33,390 | ||
| Massachusetts | $57,980 | $75,040 | $-17,060 | ||
| Michigan | $48,820 | $63,260 | $-14,440 | ||
| Minnesota | $65,270 | $64,920 | +$350 | ||
| Mississippi | $39,160 | $61,650 | $-22,490 | ||
| Missouri | $45,970 | $66,070 | $-20,100 | ||
| Montana | $46,680 | $72,800 | $-26,120 | ||
| Nebraska | $46,660 | $63,180 | $-16,520 | ||
| Nevada | $47,110 | $79,510 | $-32,400 | ||
| New Hampshire | $59,530 | $67,790 | $-8,260 | ||
| New Jersey | $49,390 | $74,960 | $-25,570 | ||
| New Mexico | $44,400 | $77,020 | $-32,620 | ||
| New York | $48,110 | $68,530 | $-20,420 | ||
| North Carolina | $50,380 | $69,390 | $-19,010 | ||
| North Dakota | $57,770 | $60,970 | $-3,200 | ||
| Ohio | $47,970 | $62,700 | $-14,730 | ||
| Oklahoma | $45,740 | $66,520 | $-20,780 | ||
| Oregon | $59,490 | $76,850 | $-17,360 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $47,930 | $71,590 | $-23,660 | ||
| Rhode Island | $50,150 | $66,710 | $-16,560 | ||
| South Carolina | $47,320 | $73,740 | $-26,420 | ||
| South Dakota | $47,900 | $56,180 | $-8,280 | ||
| Tennessee | $46,720 | $62,420 | $-15,700 | ||
| Texas | $45,430 | $81,500 | $-36,070 | ||
| Utah | $37,760 | $66,080 | $-28,320 | ||
| Virginia | $46,670 | $74,960 | $-28,290 | ||
| Washington | $58,090 | $77,590 | $-19,500 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,960 | $60,370 | $-22,410 | ||
| Wisconsin | $47,520 | $59,960 | $-12,440 | ||
| Wyoming | $44,990 | $62,750 | $-17,760 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Dental Assistants vs Occupational Therapy Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $19,925 (40.6%) based on 2025 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 2 out of 49 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 $49,100 per year, compared to $69,025 for a Occupational Therapy Assistants, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dental Assistants or Occupational Therapy Assistants?
There are more people employed as Dental Assistants. BLS reports approximately 384,650 Dental Assistants positions and 51,290 Occupational Therapy Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
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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