National Salary Overview
VS
Medical Assistants earns $5,695 more (14.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$44,602
$38,907
Average (Mean) Salary
$45,471
$41,667
Total Employment
817,850
3,260
States with Higher Pay
25
2
Salary by State: Medical Assistants vs Occupational Therapy Aides
Showing 27 states where both occupations have BLS data. Medical Assistants pays more in 25 states; Occupational Therapy Aides pays more in 2.
| State | Medical Assistants | Occupational Therapy Aides | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $49,660 | $43,480 | +$6,180 | ||
| Colorado | $48,400 | $40,110 | +$8,290 | ||
| Connecticut | $47,430 | $44,840 | +$2,590 | ||
| District of Columbia | $51,050 | $39,620 | +$11,430 | ||
| Georgia | $41,600 | $38,090 | +$3,510 | ||
| Idaho | $44,700 | $32,590 | +$12,110 | ||
| Indiana | $45,110 | $38,250 | +$6,860 | ||
| Louisiana | $36,320 | $28,560 | +$7,760 | ||
| Maryland | $46,410 | $33,310 | +$13,100 | ||
| Massachusetts | $49,460 | $40,160 | +$9,300 | ||
| Michigan | $39,870 | $39,050 | +$820 | ||
| Mississippi | $35,360 | $24,300 | +$11,060 | ||
| Missouri | $40,440 | $38,890 | +$1,550 | ||
| Nebraska | $47,370 | $44,980 | +$2,390 | ||
| Nevada | $45,200 | $36,440 | +$8,760 | ||
| New Jersey | $47,210 | $44,470 | +$2,740 | ||
| New Mexico | $39,230 | $43,170 | $-3,940 | ||
| New York | $48,000 | $46,220 | +$1,780 | ||
| North Carolina | $45,140 | $66,190 | $-21,050 | ||
| Ohio | $42,810 | $36,380 | +$6,430 | ||
| Oklahoma | $38,750 | $34,670 | +$4,080 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $43,920 | $37,100 | +$6,820 | ||
| South Carolina | $41,160 | $31,950 | +$9,210 | ||
| Tennessee | $39,570 | $27,840 | +$11,730 | ||
| Texas | $39,520 | $37,180 | +$2,340 | ||
| Washington | $59,290 | $45,890 | +$13,400 | ||
| Wisconsin | $48,680 | $36,760 | +$11,920 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Medical Assistants vs Occupational Therapy Aides salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Medical Assistants or Occupational Therapy Aides?
On average across all states, a Medical Assistants earns more than a Occupational Therapy Aides. The national median salary difference is $5,695 (14.6%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Medical Assistants earn more than a Occupational Therapy Aides?
A Medical Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Occupational Therapy Aides in 25 out of 27 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Occupational Therapy Aides pays more in 2 states.
What is the median salary for a Medical Assistants vs Occupational Therapy Aides?
The national median salary for a Medical Assistants is $44,602 per year, compared to $38,907 for a Occupational Therapy Aides, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Medical Assistants or Occupational Therapy Aides?
There are more people employed as Medical Assistants. BLS reports approximately 817,850 Medical Assistants positions and 3,260 Occupational Therapy Aides positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Medical Assistants or Occupational Therapy Aides?
Both Medical Assistants and Occupational Therapy Aides 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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