National Salary Overview
VS
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Median Salary
$64,700
Average (Mean)
$65,474
Employed Nationwide
46,090
Occupational Therapy Assistants earns $23,166 more (55.8%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$41,533
$64,700
Average (Mean) Salary
$42,404
$65,474
Total Employment
763,020
46,090
States with Higher Pay
2
49
Salary by State: Medical Assistants vs Occupational Therapy Assistants
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Medical Assistants pays more in 2 states; Occupational Therapy Assistants pays more in 49.
| State | Medical Assistants | Occupational Therapy Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $34,050 | $62,070 | $-28,020 | ||
| Alaska | $50,160 | $43,360 | +$6,800 | ||
| Arizona | $43,770 | $70,180 | $-26,410 | ||
| Arkansas | $35,050 | $74,580 | $-39,530 | ||
| California | $46,690 | $80,360 | $-33,670 | ||
| Colorado | $45,770 | $65,790 | $-20,020 | ||
| Connecticut | $45,780 | $68,090 | $-22,310 | ||
| Delaware | $40,250 | $76,930 | $-36,680 | ||
| District of Columbia | $48,710 | $79,670 | $-30,960 | ||
| Florida | $38,340 | $68,740 | $-30,400 | ||
| Georgia | $38,060 | $71,210 | $-33,150 | ||
| Hawaii | $46,930 | $61,690 | $-14,760 | ||
| Idaho | $40,670 | $33,510 | +$7,160 | ||
| Illinois | $42,850 | $60,370 | $-17,520 | ||
| Indiana | $40,680 | $58,570 | $-17,890 | ||
| Iowa | $42,980 | $61,360 | $-18,380 | ||
| Kansas | $37,670 | $65,450 | $-27,780 | ||
| Kentucky | $37,140 | $64,850 | $-27,710 | ||
| Louisiana | $34,280 | $67,200 | $-32,920 | ||
| Maine | $44,610 | $59,030 | $-14,420 | ||
| Maryland | $44,010 | $76,030 | $-32,020 | ||
| Massachusetts | $47,770 | $72,160 | $-24,390 | ||
| Michigan | $38,300 | $62,580 | $-24,280 | ||
| Minnesota | $48,890 | $61,120 | $-12,230 | ||
| Mississippi | $34,040 | $61,080 | $-27,040 | ||
| Missouri | $38,260 | $59,990 | $-21,730 | ||
| Montana | $44,040 | $62,860 | $-18,820 | ||
| Nebraska | $39,870 | $60,530 | $-20,660 | ||
| Nevada | $39,940 | $75,130 | $-35,190 | ||
| New Hampshire | $46,240 | $62,980 | $-16,740 | ||
| New Jersey | $45,340 | $76,360 | $-31,020 | ||
| New Mexico | $37,640 | $59,850 | $-22,210 | ||
| New York | $45,440 | $64,900 | $-19,460 | ||
| North Carolina | $40,190 | $70,750 | $-30,560 | ||
| North Dakota | $40,880 | $56,230 | $-15,350 | ||
| Ohio | $38,280 | $62,470 | $-24,190 | ||
| Oklahoma | $37,240 | $64,890 | $-27,650 | ||
| Oregon | $48,350 | $66,020 | $-17,670 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $39,480 | $60,000 | $-20,520 | ||
| Rhode Island | $43,980 | $60,570 | $-16,590 | ||
| South Carolina | $37,420 | $71,610 | $-34,190 | ||
| South Dakota | $36,280 | $53,550 | $-17,270 | ||
| Tennessee | $37,350 | $62,120 | $-24,770 | ||
| Texas | $37,570 | $75,000 | $-37,430 | ||
| Utah | $40,270 | $56,160 | $-15,890 | ||
| Vermont | $44,480 | $67,660 | $-23,180 | ||
| Virginia | $40,240 | $71,910 | $-31,670 | ||
| Washington | $52,600 | $72,950 | $-20,350 | ||
| West Virginia | $34,340 | $63,490 | $-29,150 | ||
| Wisconsin | $46,320 | $60,950 | $-14,630 | ||
| Wyoming | $38,730 | $54,790 | $-16,060 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Medical Assistants or Occupational Therapy Assistants?
On average across all states, a Occupational Therapy Assistants earns more than a Medical Assistants. The national median salary difference is $23,166 (55.8%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Medical Assistants earn more than a Occupational Therapy Assistants?
A Medical Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Occupational Therapy Assistants in 2 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Occupational Therapy Assistants pays more in 49 states.
What is the median salary for a Medical Assistants vs Occupational Therapy Assistants?
The national median salary for a Medical Assistants is $41,533 per year, compared to $64,700 for a Occupational Therapy Assistants, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Medical Assistants or Occupational Therapy Assistants?
There are more people employed as Medical Assistants. BLS reports approximately 763,020 Medical Assistants positions and 46,090 Occupational Therapy Assistants positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Medical Assistants or Occupational Therapy Assistants?
Both Medical 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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