National Salary Overview
VS
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Median Salary
$64,700
Average (Mean)
$65,474
Employed Nationwide
46,090
Occupational Therapy Assistants earns $26,052 more (67.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$38,647
$64,700
Average (Mean) Salary
$39,464
$65,474
Total Employment
1,351,770
46,090
States with Higher Pay
2
49
Salary by State: Nursing Assistants vs Occupational Therapy Assistants
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Nursing Assistants pays more in 2 states; Occupational Therapy Assistants pays more in 49.
| State | Nursing Assistants | Occupational Therapy Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $30,540 | $62,070 | $-31,530 | ||
| Alaska | $45,480 | $43,360 | +$2,120 | ||
| Arizona | $39,920 | $70,180 | $-30,260 | ||
| Arkansas | $31,230 | $74,580 | $-43,350 | ||
| California | $45,170 | $80,360 | $-35,190 | ||
| Colorado | $42,520 | $65,790 | $-23,270 | ||
| Connecticut | $40,890 | $68,090 | $-27,200 | ||
| Delaware | $38,240 | $76,930 | $-38,690 | ||
| District of Columbia | $46,220 | $79,670 | $-33,450 | ||
| Florida | $36,340 | $68,740 | $-32,400 | ||
| Georgia | $34,710 | $71,210 | $-36,500 | ||
| Hawaii | $44,080 | $61,690 | $-17,610 | ||
| Idaho | $37,120 | $33,510 | +$3,610 | ||
| Illinois | $39,510 | $60,370 | $-20,860 | ||
| Indiana | $36,790 | $58,570 | $-21,780 | ||
| Iowa | $37,340 | $61,360 | $-24,020 | ||
| Kansas | $35,450 | $65,450 | $-30,000 | ||
| Kentucky | $36,510 | $64,850 | $-28,340 | ||
| Louisiana | $29,070 | $67,200 | $-38,130 | ||
| Maine | $43,120 | $59,030 | $-15,910 | ||
| Maryland | $38,620 | $76,030 | $-37,410 | ||
| Massachusetts | $44,200 | $72,160 | $-27,960 | ||
| Michigan | $37,940 | $62,580 | $-24,640 | ||
| Minnesota | $41,940 | $61,120 | $-19,180 | ||
| Mississippi | $29,310 | $61,080 | $-31,770 | ||
| Missouri | $36,260 | $59,990 | $-23,730 | ||
| Montana | $37,970 | $62,860 | $-24,890 | ||
| Nebraska | $37,530 | $60,530 | $-23,000 | ||
| Nevada | $42,200 | $75,130 | $-32,930 | ||
| New Hampshire | $43,940 | $62,980 | $-19,040 | ||
| New Jersey | $41,450 | $76,360 | $-34,910 | ||
| New Mexico | $35,400 | $59,850 | $-24,450 | ||
| New York | $45,890 | $64,900 | $-19,010 | ||
| North Carolina | $36,010 | $70,750 | $-34,740 | ||
| North Dakota | $40,650 | $56,230 | $-15,580 | ||
| Ohio | $38,030 | $62,470 | $-24,440 | ||
| Oklahoma | $33,320 | $64,890 | $-31,570 | ||
| Oregon | $46,260 | $66,020 | $-19,760 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $38,540 | $60,000 | $-21,460 | ||
| Rhode Island | $41,600 | $60,570 | $-18,970 | ||
| South Carolina | $35,090 | $71,610 | $-36,520 | ||
| South Dakota | $35,720 | $53,550 | $-17,830 | ||
| Tennessee | $35,040 | $62,120 | $-27,080 | ||
| Texas | $35,110 | $75,000 | $-39,890 | ||
| Utah | $37,270 | $56,160 | $-18,890 | ||
| Vermont | $40,460 | $67,660 | $-27,200 | ||
| Virginia | $36,820 | $71,910 | $-35,090 | ||
| Washington | $46,000 | $72,950 | $-26,950 | ||
| West Virginia | $35,490 | $63,490 | $-28,000 | ||
| Wisconsin | $40,010 | $60,950 | $-20,940 | ||
| Wyoming | $36,710 | $54,790 | $-18,080 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Nursing Assistants or Occupational Therapy Assistants?
On average across all states, a Occupational Therapy Assistants earns more than a Nursing Assistants. The national median salary difference is $26,052 (67.4%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Nursing Assistants earn more than a Occupational Therapy Assistants?
A Nursing 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 Nursing Assistants vs Occupational Therapy Assistants?
The national median salary for a Nursing Assistants is $38,647 per year, compared to $64,700 for a Occupational Therapy Assistants, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Nursing Assistants or Occupational Therapy Assistants?
There are more people employed as Nursing Assistants. BLS reports approximately 1,351,770 Nursing Assistants positions and 46,090 Occupational Therapy Assistants positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Nursing Assistants or Occupational Therapy Assistants?
Both Nursing 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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