National Salary Overview
VS
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Median Salary
$69,025
Average (Mean)
$68,781
Employed Nationwide
51,290
Occupational Therapy Assistants earns $8,750 more (14.5%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$60,274
$69,025
Average (Mean) Salary
$65,071
$68,781
Total Employment
98,600
51,290
States with Higher Pay
9
41
Salary by State: Massage Therapists vs Occupational Therapy Assistants
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Massage Therapists pays more in 9 states; Occupational Therapy Assistants pays more in 41.
| State | Massage Therapists | Occupational Therapy Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $48,930 | $62,250 | $-13,320 | ||
| Alaska | $134,930 | $53,530 | +$81,400 | ||
| Arizona | $62,400 | $73,490 | $-11,090 | ||
| Arkansas | $39,990 | $78,940 | $-38,950 | ||
| California | $45,970 | $81,770 | $-35,800 | ||
| Colorado | $61,060 | $75,340 | $-14,280 | ||
| Connecticut | $62,260 | $72,780 | $-10,520 | ||
| Delaware | $58,870 | $78,640 | $-19,770 | ||
| District of Columbia | $64,110 | $66,390 | $-2,280 | ||
| Florida | $49,680 | $71,630 | $-21,950 | ||
| Georgia | $50,820 | $75,920 | $-25,100 | ||
| Hawaii | $81,280 | $72,710 | +$8,570 | ||
| Idaho | $60,420 | $65,330 | $-4,910 | ||
| Illinois | $60,490 | $64,120 | $-3,630 | ||
| Indiana | $55,590 | $66,660 | $-11,070 | ||
| Iowa | $57,710 | $64,140 | $-6,430 | ||
| Kansas | $49,990 | $65,010 | $-15,020 | ||
| Kentucky | $59,790 | $65,230 | $-5,440 | ||
| Louisiana | $36,480 | $66,090 | $-29,610 | ||
| Maine | $73,290 | $64,270 | +$9,020 | ||
| Maryland | $62,270 | $82,010 | $-19,740 | ||
| Massachusetts | $63,390 | $75,040 | $-11,650 | ||
| Michigan | $70,960 | $63,260 | +$7,700 | ||
| Minnesota | $63,070 | $64,920 | $-1,850 | ||
| Mississippi | $40,490 | $61,650 | $-21,160 | ||
| Missouri | $62,050 | $66,070 | $-4,020 | ||
| Montana | $53,540 | $72,800 | $-19,260 | ||
| Nebraska | $53,950 | $63,180 | $-9,230 | ||
| Nevada | $53,540 | $79,510 | $-25,970 | ||
| New Hampshire | $80,360 | $67,790 | +$12,570 | ||
| New Jersey | $50,150 | $74,960 | $-24,810 | ||
| New Mexico | $37,840 | $77,020 | $-39,180 | ||
| New York | $62,630 | $68,530 | $-5,900 | ||
| North Carolina | $60,650 | $69,390 | $-8,740 | ||
| North Dakota | $74,140 | $60,970 | +$13,170 | ||
| Ohio | $55,990 | $62,700 | $-6,710 | ||
| Oklahoma | $36,630 | $66,520 | $-29,890 | ||
| Oregon | $86,970 | $76,850 | +$10,120 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $58,300 | $71,590 | $-13,290 | ||
| Rhode Island | $74,960 | $66,710 | +$8,250 | ||
| South Carolina | $58,000 | $73,740 | $-15,740 | ||
| South Dakota | $52,000 | $56,180 | $-4,180 | ||
| Tennessee | $50,070 | $62,420 | $-12,350 | ||
| Texas | $59,370 | $81,500 | $-22,130 | ||
| Utah | $62,130 | $66,080 | $-3,950 | ||
| Virginia | $62,220 | $74,960 | $-12,740 | ||
| Washington | $87,360 | $77,590 | +$9,770 | ||
| West Virginia | $46,600 | $60,370 | $-13,770 | ||
| Wisconsin | $58,070 | $59,960 | $-1,890 | ||
| Wyoming | $61,980 | $62,750 | $-770 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Massage Therapists vs Occupational Therapy Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Massage Therapists or Occupational Therapy Assistants?
On average across all states, a Occupational Therapy Assistants earns more than a Massage Therapists. The national median salary difference is $8,750 (14.5%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Massage Therapists earn more than a Occupational Therapy Assistants?
A Massage Therapists earns a higher median salary than a Occupational Therapy Assistants in 9 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Occupational Therapy Assistants pays more in 41 states.
What is the median salary for a Massage Therapists vs Occupational Therapy Assistants?
The national median salary for a Massage Therapists is $60,274 per year, compared to $69,025 for a Occupational Therapy Assistants, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Massage Therapists or Occupational Therapy Assistants?
There are more people employed as Massage Therapists. BLS reports approximately 98,600 Massage Therapists positions and 51,290 Occupational Therapy Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Massage Therapists or Occupational Therapy Assistants?
Both Massage Therapists 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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