National Salary Overview
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Median Salary
$64,700
Average (Mean)
$65,474
Employed Nationwide
46,090
VS
Physical Therapist Assistants
Median Salary
$63,937
Average (Mean)
$63,704
Employed Nationwide
103,990
Occupational Therapy Assistants earns $762 more (1.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$64,700
$63,937
Average (Mean) Salary
$65,474
$63,704
Total Employment
46,090
103,990
States with Higher Pay
33
18
Salary by State: Occupational Therapy Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Occupational Therapy Assistants pays more in 33 states; Physical Therapist Assistants pays more in 18.
| State | Occupational Therapy Assistants | Physical Therapist Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $62,070 | $60,490 | +$1,580 | ||
| Alaska | $43,360 | $63,430 | $-20,070 | ||
| Arizona | $70,180 | $62,790 | +$7,390 | ||
| Arkansas | $74,580 | $64,790 | +$9,790 | ||
| California | $80,360 | $79,630 | +$730 | ||
| Colorado | $65,790 | $64,180 | +$1,610 | ||
| Connecticut | $68,090 | $72,170 | $-4,080 | ||
| Delaware | $76,930 | $63,190 | +$13,740 | ||
| District of Columbia | $79,670 | $69,650 | +$10,020 | ||
| Florida | $68,740 | $65,710 | +$3,030 | ||
| Georgia | $71,210 | $73,120 | $-1,910 | ||
| Hawaii | $61,690 | $57,710 | +$3,980 | ||
| Idaho | $33,510 | $59,660 | $-26,150 | ||
| Illinois | $60,370 | $63,200 | $-2,830 | ||
| Indiana | $58,570 | $62,710 | $-4,140 | ||
| Iowa | $61,360 | $58,700 | +$2,660 | ||
| Kansas | $65,450 | $61,160 | +$4,290 | ||
| Kentucky | $64,850 | $61,080 | +$3,770 | ||
| Louisiana | $67,200 | $60,790 | +$6,410 | ||
| Maine | $59,030 | $59,350 | $-320 | ||
| Maryland | $76,030 | $73,400 | +$2,630 | ||
| Massachusetts | $72,160 | $75,160 | $-3,000 | ||
| Michigan | $62,580 | $60,780 | +$1,800 | ||
| Minnesota | $61,120 | $60,980 | +$140 | ||
| Mississippi | $61,080 | $62,090 | $-1,010 | ||
| Missouri | $59,990 | $61,310 | $-1,320 | ||
| Montana | $62,860 | $61,410 | +$1,450 | ||
| Nebraska | $60,530 | $57,790 | +$2,740 | ||
| Nevada | $75,130 | $72,650 | +$2,480 | ||
| New Hampshire | $62,980 | $69,110 | $-6,130 | ||
| New Jersey | $76,360 | $70,160 | +$6,200 | ||
| New Mexico | $59,850 | $60,090 | $-240 | ||
| New York | $64,900 | $61,930 | +$2,970 | ||
| North Carolina | $70,750 | $63,170 | +$7,580 | ||
| North Dakota | $56,230 | $58,520 | $-2,290 | ||
| Ohio | $62,470 | $61,540 | +$930 | ||
| Oklahoma | $64,890 | $64,020 | +$870 | ||
| Oregon | $66,020 | $64,040 | +$1,980 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $60,000 | $59,930 | +$70 | ||
| Rhode Island | $60,570 | $62,400 | $-1,830 | ||
| South Carolina | $71,610 | $65,010 | +$6,600 | ||
| South Dakota | $53,550 | $52,730 | +$820 | ||
| Tennessee | $62,120 | $61,600 | +$520 | ||
| Texas | $75,000 | $75,960 | $-960 | ||
| Utah | $56,160 | $60,880 | $-4,720 | ||
| Vermont | $67,660 | $66,630 | +$1,030 | ||
| Virginia | $71,910 | $65,840 | +$6,070 | ||
| Washington | $72,950 | $67,470 | +$5,480 | ||
| West Virginia | $63,490 | $60,010 | +$3,480 | ||
| Wisconsin | $60,950 | $61,730 | $-780 | ||
| Wyoming | $54,790 | $58,940 | $-4,150 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Occupational Therapy Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants?
On average across all states, a Occupational Therapy Assistants earns more than a Physical Therapist Assistants. The national median salary difference is $762 (1.2%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Occupational Therapy Assistants earn more than a Physical Therapist Assistants?
A Occupational Therapy Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Physical Therapist Assistants in 33 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Physical Therapist Assistants pays more in 18 states.
What is the median salary for a Occupational Therapy Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants?
The national median salary for a Occupational Therapy Assistants is $64,700 per year, compared to $63,937 for a Physical Therapist Assistants, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Occupational Therapy Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants?
There are more people employed as Physical Therapist Assistants. BLS reports approximately 46,090 Occupational Therapy Assistants positions and 103,990 Physical Therapist Assistants positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Occupational Therapy Assistants or Physical Therapist Assistants?
Both Occupational Therapy Assistants and Physical Therapist 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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