How does Occupational Therapy Assistants salary grow from entry-level to senior in California? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.
68% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2024 • California salary data • Updated 2026-04-06
The salary range for Occupational Therapy Assistants in California spans from $58,900 at entry-level to $99,200 at senior level — a difference of $40,300 per year.
Senior Occupational Therapy Assistantss in California earn $40,300 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Occupational Therapy Assistants salary increases with experience in California, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $58,900 | $4,908 | $28.32 |
| Early Career | P25 | $72,780 | $6,065 | $34.99 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $80,360 | $6,697 | $38.63 |
| Experienced | P75 | $91,090 | $7,591 | $43.79 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $99,200 | $8,267 | $47.69 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in California has a moderate salary progression with a 68% growth from entry-level ($58,900) to senior ($99,200). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($80,360) and P90 ($99,200) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.
Where does California rank for Occupational Therapy Assistants senior-level salaries? Compare California's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
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Entry-level Occupational Therapy Assistantss (10th percentile) earn approximately $58,900 per year, or $4,908 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $72,780. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Occupational Therapy Assistantss (90th percentile) earn approximately $99,200 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $91,090. This represents a career premium of 68% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Occupational Therapy Assistantss is 68%. Entry-level professionals start at $58,900, while senior-level can earn up to $99,200 — a difference of $40,300 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Occupational Therapy Assistantss is California, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $99,200 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
Salary percentile data for California from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within California.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS