National Salary Overview
VS
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Median Salary
$69,025
Average (Mean)
$68,781
Employed Nationwide
51,290
Occupational Therapy Assistants earns $27,212 more (65.1%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$41,812
$69,025
Average (Mean) Salary
$42,553
$68,781
Total Employment
1,448,920
51,290
States with Higher Pay
0
50
Salary by State: Nursing Assistants vs Occupational Therapy Assistants
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Nursing Assistants pays more in 0 states; Occupational Therapy Assistants pays more in 50.
| State | Nursing Assistants | Occupational Therapy Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $34,140 | $62,250 | $-28,110 | ||
| Alaska | $46,370 | $53,530 | $-7,160 | ||
| Arizona | $44,780 | $73,490 | $-28,710 | ||
| Arkansas | $34,430 | $78,940 | $-44,510 | ||
| California | $47,630 | $81,770 | $-34,140 | ||
| Colorado | $47,380 | $75,340 | $-27,960 | ||
| Connecticut | $44,790 | $72,780 | $-27,990 | ||
| Delaware | $42,030 | $78,640 | $-36,610 | ||
| District of Columbia | $47,700 | $66,390 | $-18,690 | ||
| Florida | $37,510 | $71,630 | $-34,120 | ||
| Georgia | $37,680 | $75,920 | $-38,240 | ||
| Hawaii | $45,350 | $72,710 | $-27,360 | ||
| Idaho | $38,650 | $65,330 | $-26,680 | ||
| Illinois | $45,960 | $64,120 | $-18,160 | ||
| Indiana | $38,330 | $66,660 | $-28,330 | ||
| Iowa | $39,350 | $64,140 | $-24,790 | ||
| Kansas | $38,010 | $65,010 | $-27,000 | ||
| Kentucky | $38,370 | $65,230 | $-26,860 | ||
| Louisiana | $30,510 | $66,090 | $-35,580 | ||
| Maine | $47,070 | $64,270 | $-17,200 | ||
| Maryland | $43,240 | $82,010 | $-38,770 | ||
| Massachusetts | $46,680 | $75,040 | $-28,360 | ||
| Michigan | $39,570 | $63,260 | $-23,690 | ||
| Minnesota | $46,680 | $64,920 | $-18,240 | ||
| Mississippi | $31,520 | $61,650 | $-30,130 | ||
| Missouri | $37,680 | $66,070 | $-28,390 | ||
| Montana | $40,900 | $72,800 | $-31,900 | ||
| Nebraska | $40,000 | $63,180 | $-23,180 | ||
| Nevada | $45,490 | $79,510 | $-34,020 | ||
| New Hampshire | $47,870 | $67,790 | $-19,920 | ||
| New Jersey | $46,830 | $74,960 | $-28,130 | ||
| New Mexico | $39,390 | $77,020 | $-37,630 | ||
| New York | $48,590 | $68,530 | $-19,940 | ||
| North Carolina | $38,460 | $69,390 | $-30,930 | ||
| North Dakota | $45,820 | $60,970 | $-15,150 | ||
| Ohio | $39,010 | $62,700 | $-23,690 | ||
| Oklahoma | $35,930 | $66,520 | $-30,590 | ||
| Oregon | $49,830 | $76,850 | $-27,020 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $44,590 | $71,590 | $-27,000 | ||
| Rhode Island | $46,440 | $66,710 | $-20,270 | ||
| South Carolina | $37,220 | $73,740 | $-36,520 | ||
| South Dakota | $38,800 | $56,180 | $-17,380 | ||
| Tennessee | $37,990 | $62,420 | $-24,430 | ||
| Texas | $37,500 | $81,500 | $-44,000 | ||
| Utah | $39,840 | $66,080 | $-26,240 | ||
| Virginia | $43,200 | $74,960 | $-31,760 | ||
| Washington | $49,180 | $77,590 | $-28,410 | ||
| West Virginia | $36,720 | $60,370 | $-23,650 | ||
| Wisconsin | $45,130 | $59,960 | $-14,830 | ||
| Wyoming | $39,160 | $62,750 | $-23,590 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Nursing Assistants vs Occupational Therapy Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $27,212 (65.1%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Nursing Assistants vs Occupational Therapy Assistants?
The national median salary for a Nursing Assistants is $41,812 per year, compared to $69,025 for a Occupational Therapy Assistants, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Nursing Assistants or Occupational Therapy Assistants?
There are more people employed as Nursing Assistants. BLS reports approximately 1,448,920 Nursing Assistants positions and 51,290 Occupational Therapy Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
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.
Explore Career Options
Build My Resume Get Certified & Earn More Find Remote & Flexible Jobs Learn a New LanguageCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.