National Salary Overview
VS
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Median Salary
$69,025
Average (Mean)
$68,781
Employed Nationwide
51,290
Occupational Therapy Assistants earns $24,422 more (54.8%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$44,602
$69,025
Average (Mean) Salary
$45,471
$68,781
Total Employment
817,850
51,290
States with Higher Pay
0
50
Salary by State: Medical Assistants vs Occupational Therapy Assistants
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Medical Assistants pays more in 0 states; Occupational Therapy Assistants pays more in 50.
| State | Medical Assistants | Occupational Therapy Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,100 | $62,250 | $-26,150 | ||
| Alaska | $52,560 | $53,530 | $-970 | ||
| Arizona | $45,940 | $73,490 | $-27,550 | ||
| Arkansas | $37,760 | $78,940 | $-41,180 | ||
| California | $49,660 | $81,770 | $-32,110 | ||
| Colorado | $48,400 | $75,340 | $-26,940 | ||
| Connecticut | $47,430 | $72,780 | $-25,350 | ||
| Delaware | $44,490 | $78,640 | $-34,150 | ||
| District of Columbia | $51,050 | $66,390 | $-15,340 | ||
| Florida | $43,680 | $71,630 | $-27,950 | ||
| Georgia | $41,600 | $75,920 | $-34,320 | ||
| Hawaii | $48,410 | $72,710 | $-24,300 | ||
| Idaho | $44,700 | $65,330 | $-20,630 | ||
| Illinois | $46,090 | $64,120 | $-18,030 | ||
| Indiana | $45,110 | $66,660 | $-21,550 | ||
| Iowa | $45,480 | $64,140 | $-18,660 | ||
| Kansas | $39,510 | $65,010 | $-25,500 | ||
| Kentucky | $39,270 | $65,230 | $-25,960 | ||
| Louisiana | $36,320 | $66,090 | $-29,770 | ||
| Maine | $47,580 | $64,270 | $-16,690 | ||
| Maryland | $46,410 | $82,010 | $-35,600 | ||
| Massachusetts | $49,460 | $75,040 | $-25,580 | ||
| Michigan | $39,870 | $63,260 | $-23,390 | ||
| Minnesota | $50,480 | $64,920 | $-14,440 | ||
| Mississippi | $35,360 | $61,650 | $-26,290 | ||
| Missouri | $40,440 | $66,070 | $-25,630 | ||
| Montana | $46,820 | $72,800 | $-25,980 | ||
| Nebraska | $47,370 | $63,180 | $-15,810 | ||
| Nevada | $45,200 | $79,510 | $-34,310 | ||
| New Hampshire | $48,020 | $67,790 | $-19,770 | ||
| New Jersey | $47,210 | $74,960 | $-27,750 | ||
| New Mexico | $39,230 | $77,020 | $-37,790 | ||
| New York | $48,000 | $68,530 | $-20,530 | ||
| North Carolina | $45,140 | $69,390 | $-24,250 | ||
| North Dakota | $45,980 | $60,970 | $-14,990 | ||
| Ohio | $42,810 | $62,700 | $-19,890 | ||
| Oklahoma | $38,750 | $66,520 | $-27,770 | ||
| Oregon | $50,410 | $76,850 | $-26,440 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $43,920 | $71,590 | $-27,670 | ||
| Rhode Island | $47,190 | $66,710 | $-19,520 | ||
| South Carolina | $41,160 | $73,740 | $-32,580 | ||
| South Dakota | $41,870 | $56,180 | $-14,310 | ||
| Tennessee | $39,570 | $62,420 | $-22,850 | ||
| Texas | $39,520 | $81,500 | $-41,980 | ||
| Utah | $45,360 | $66,080 | $-20,720 | ||
| Virginia | $44,740 | $74,960 | $-30,220 | ||
| Washington | $59,290 | $77,590 | $-18,300 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,180 | $60,370 | $-23,190 | ||
| Wisconsin | $48,680 | $59,960 | $-11,280 | ||
| Wyoming | $40,920 | $62,750 | $-21,830 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Medical Assistants vs Occupational Therapy Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $24,422 (54.8%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Medical Assistants vs Occupational Therapy Assistants?
The national median salary for a Medical Assistants is $44,602 per year, compared to $69,025 for a Occupational Therapy Assistants, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Medical Assistants or Occupational Therapy Assistants?
There are more people employed as Medical Assistants. BLS reports approximately 817,850 Medical Assistants positions and 51,290 Occupational Therapy Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
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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