National Salary Overview
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Median Salary
$69,025
Average (Mean)
$68,781
Employed Nationwide
51,290
VS
Occupational Therapy Assistants earns $25,753 more (59.5%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$69,025
$43,271
Average (Mean) Salary
$68,781
$44,310
Total Employment
51,290
33,860
States with Higher Pay
38
0
Salary by State: Occupational Therapy Assistants vs Psychiatric Aides
Showing 38 states where both occupations have BLS data. Occupational Therapy Assistants pays more in 38 states; Psychiatric Aides pays more in 0.
| State | Occupational Therapy Assistants | Psychiatric Aides | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $62,250 | $27,150 | +$35,100 | ||
| Alaska | $53,530 | $49,300 | +$4,230 | ||
| Arkansas | $78,940 | $36,270 | +$42,670 | ||
| California | $81,770 | $47,500 | +$34,270 | ||
| Colorado | $75,340 | $46,130 | +$29,210 | ||
| Connecticut | $72,780 | $44,660 | +$28,120 | ||
| Florida | $71,630 | $37,930 | +$33,700 | ||
| Georgia | $75,920 | $36,790 | +$39,130 | ||
| Hawaii | $72,710 | $52,310 | +$20,400 | ||
| Illinois | $64,120 | $48,670 | +$15,450 | ||
| Indiana | $66,660 | $44,860 | +$21,800 | ||
| Iowa | $64,140 | $39,260 | +$24,880 | ||
| Kansas | $65,010 | $38,390 | +$26,620 | ||
| Kentucky | $65,230 | $38,610 | +$26,620 | ||
| Louisiana | $66,090 | $30,030 | +$36,060 | ||
| Maine | $64,270 | $46,720 | +$17,550 | ||
| Maryland | $82,010 | $51,440 | +$30,570 | ||
| Massachusetts | $75,040 | $45,300 | +$29,740 | ||
| Michigan | $63,260 | $45,800 | +$17,460 | ||
| Minnesota | $64,920 | $55,040 | +$9,880 | ||
| Mississippi | $61,650 | $30,510 | +$31,140 | ||
| Missouri | $66,070 | $39,840 | +$26,230 | ||
| Montana | $72,800 | $46,340 | +$26,460 | ||
| Nevada | $79,510 | $51,400 | +$28,110 | ||
| New Jersey | $74,960 | $45,780 | +$29,180 | ||
| New York | $68,530 | $50,220 | +$18,310 | ||
| North Carolina | $69,390 | $38,400 | +$30,990 | ||
| Ohio | $62,700 | $38,480 | +$24,220 | ||
| Oklahoma | $66,520 | $44,960 | +$21,560 | ||
| Oregon | $76,850 | $48,300 | +$28,550 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $71,590 | $44,790 | +$26,800 | ||
| Rhode Island | $66,710 | $51,100 | +$15,610 | ||
| South Carolina | $73,740 | $36,320 | +$37,420 | ||
| Texas | $81,500 | $42,560 | +$38,940 | ||
| Utah | $66,080 | $40,810 | +$25,270 | ||
| Virginia | $74,960 | $37,280 | +$37,680 | ||
| Washington | $77,590 | $52,570 | +$25,020 | ||
| West Virginia | $60,370 | $37,910 | +$22,460 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Occupational Therapy Assistants vs Psychiatric Aides salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Occupational Therapy Assistants or Psychiatric Aides?
On average across all states, a Occupational Therapy Assistants earns more than a Psychiatric Aides. The national median salary difference is $25,753 (59.5%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Occupational Therapy Assistants vs Psychiatric Aides?
The national median salary for a Occupational Therapy Assistants is $69,025 per year, compared to $43,271 for a Psychiatric Aides, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Occupational Therapy Assistants or Psychiatric Aides?
There are more people employed as Occupational Therapy Assistants. BLS reports approximately 51,290 Occupational Therapy Assistants positions and 33,860 Psychiatric Aides positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Occupational Therapy Assistants or Psychiatric Aides?
Both Occupational Therapy Assistants and Psychiatric Aides 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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