National Salary Overview
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Median Salary
$69,025
Average (Mean)
$68,781
Employed Nationwide
51,290
VS
Physical Therapist Assistants
Median Salary
$67,076
Average (Mean)
$66,841
Employed Nationwide
112,400
Occupational Therapy Assistants earns $1,948 more (2.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$69,025
$67,076
Average (Mean) Salary
$68,781
$66,841
Total Employment
51,290
112,400
States with Higher Pay
32
18
Salary by State: Occupational Therapy Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Occupational Therapy Assistants pays more in 32 states; Physical Therapist Assistants pays more in 18.
| State | Occupational Therapy Assistants | Physical Therapist Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $62,250 | $61,430 | +$820 | ||
| Alaska | $53,530 | $77,640 | $-24,110 | ||
| Arizona | $73,490 | $64,650 | +$8,840 | ||
| Arkansas | $78,940 | $64,520 | +$14,420 | ||
| California | $81,770 | $83,110 | $-1,340 | ||
| Colorado | $75,340 | $64,810 | +$10,530 | ||
| Connecticut | $72,780 | $75,880 | $-3,100 | ||
| Delaware | $78,640 | $74,610 | +$4,030 | ||
| District of Columbia | $66,390 | $63,400 | +$2,990 | ||
| Florida | $71,630 | $72,530 | $-900 | ||
| Georgia | $75,920 | $72,800 | +$3,120 | ||
| Hawaii | $72,710 | $67,510 | +$5,200 | ||
| Idaho | $65,330 | $61,020 | +$4,310 | ||
| Illinois | $64,120 | $65,240 | $-1,120 | ||
| Indiana | $66,660 | $65,280 | +$1,380 | ||
| Iowa | $64,140 | $61,030 | +$3,110 | ||
| Kansas | $65,010 | $64,500 | +$510 | ||
| Kentucky | $65,230 | $61,480 | +$3,750 | ||
| Louisiana | $66,090 | $65,370 | +$720 | ||
| Maine | $64,270 | $66,250 | $-1,980 | ||
| Maryland | $82,010 | $77,670 | +$4,340 | ||
| Massachusetts | $75,040 | $79,460 | $-4,420 | ||
| Michigan | $63,260 | $61,670 | +$1,590 | ||
| Minnesota | $64,920 | $66,770 | $-1,850 | ||
| Mississippi | $61,650 | $61,770 | $-120 | ||
| Missouri | $66,070 | $63,770 | +$2,300 | ||
| Montana | $72,800 | $62,650 | +$10,150 | ||
| Nebraska | $63,180 | $61,370 | +$1,810 | ||
| Nevada | $79,510 | $75,520 | +$3,990 | ||
| New Hampshire | $67,790 | $71,440 | $-3,650 | ||
| New Jersey | $74,960 | $78,440 | $-3,480 | ||
| New Mexico | $77,020 | $62,280 | +$14,740 | ||
| New York | $68,530 | $64,100 | +$4,430 | ||
| North Carolina | $69,390 | $67,540 | +$1,850 | ||
| North Dakota | $60,970 | $63,520 | $-2,550 | ||
| Ohio | $62,700 | $63,820 | $-1,120 | ||
| Oklahoma | $66,520 | $59,480 | +$7,040 | ||
| Oregon | $76,850 | $73,180 | +$3,670 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $71,590 | $62,580 | +$9,010 | ||
| Rhode Island | $66,710 | $68,640 | $-1,930 | ||
| South Carolina | $73,740 | $70,500 | +$3,240 | ||
| South Dakota | $56,180 | $49,310 | +$6,870 | ||
| Tennessee | $62,420 | $62,500 | $-80 | ||
| Texas | $81,500 | $78,000 | +$3,500 | ||
| Utah | $66,080 | $61,980 | +$4,100 | ||
| Virginia | $74,960 | $73,760 | +$1,200 | ||
| Washington | $77,590 | $66,450 | +$11,140 | ||
| West Virginia | $60,370 | $60,430 | $-60 | ||
| Wisconsin | $59,960 | $64,080 | $-4,120 | ||
| Wyoming | $62,750 | $63,550 | $-800 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Occupational Therapy Assistants vs Physical Therapist Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $1,948 (2.9%) based on 2025 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 32 out of 50 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 $69,025 per year, compared to $67,076 for a Physical Therapist Assistants, according to 2025 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 51,290 Occupational Therapy Assistants positions and 112,400 Physical Therapist Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
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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