National Salary Overview
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Median Salary
$69,025
Average (Mean)
$68,781
Employed Nationwide
51,290
VS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Median Salary
$38,713
Average (Mean)
$39,422
Employed Nationwide
126,190
Occupational Therapy Assistants earns $30,311 more (78.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$69,025
$38,713
Average (Mean) Salary
$68,781
$39,422
Total Employment
51,290
126,190
States with Higher Pay
50
0
Salary by State: Occupational Therapy Assistants vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Occupational Therapy Assistants pays more in 50 states; Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pays more in 0.
| State | Occupational Therapy Assistants | Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $62,250 | $35,800 | +$26,450 | ||
| Alaska | $53,530 | $36,490 | +$17,040 | ||
| Arizona | $73,490 | $38,250 | +$35,240 | ||
| Arkansas | $78,940 | $34,570 | +$44,370 | ||
| California | $81,770 | $46,260 | +$35,510 | ||
| Colorado | $75,340 | $38,900 | +$36,440 | ||
| Connecticut | $72,780 | $44,250 | +$28,530 | ||
| Delaware | $78,640 | $38,610 | +$40,030 | ||
| District of Columbia | $66,390 | $49,080 | +$17,310 | ||
| Florida | $71,630 | $37,830 | +$33,800 | ||
| Georgia | $75,920 | $35,850 | +$40,070 | ||
| Hawaii | $72,710 | $44,070 | +$28,640 | ||
| Idaho | $65,330 | $37,530 | +$27,800 | ||
| Illinois | $64,120 | $37,480 | +$26,640 | ||
| Indiana | $66,660 | $36,420 | +$30,240 | ||
| Iowa | $64,140 | $35,720 | +$28,420 | ||
| Kansas | $65,010 | $35,680 | +$29,330 | ||
| Kentucky | $65,230 | $34,140 | +$31,090 | ||
| Louisiana | $66,090 | $30,480 | +$35,610 | ||
| Maine | $64,270 | $45,510 | +$18,760 | ||
| Maryland | $82,010 | $44,770 | +$37,240 | ||
| Massachusetts | $75,040 | $46,670 | +$28,370 | ||
| Michigan | $63,260 | $37,960 | +$25,300 | ||
| Minnesota | $64,920 | $45,280 | +$19,640 | ||
| Mississippi | $61,650 | $30,360 | +$31,290 | ||
| Missouri | $66,070 | $36,660 | +$29,410 | ||
| Montana | $72,800 | $38,340 | +$34,460 | ||
| Nebraska | $63,180 | $36,100 | +$27,080 | ||
| Nevada | $79,510 | $36,920 | +$42,590 | ||
| New Hampshire | $67,790 | $36,910 | +$30,880 | ||
| New Jersey | $74,960 | $46,160 | +$28,800 | ||
| New Mexico | $77,020 | $37,500 | +$39,520 | ||
| New York | $68,530 | $44,750 | +$23,780 | ||
| North Carolina | $69,390 | $37,070 | +$32,320 | ||
| North Dakota | $60,970 | $37,160 | +$23,810 | ||
| Ohio | $62,700 | $36,340 | +$26,360 | ||
| Oklahoma | $66,520 | $34,850 | +$31,670 | ||
| Oregon | $76,850 | $44,370 | +$32,480 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $71,590 | $37,140 | +$34,450 | ||
| Rhode Island | $66,710 | $49,770 | +$16,940 | ||
| South Carolina | $73,740 | $36,980 | +$36,760 | ||
| South Dakota | $56,180 | $34,700 | +$21,480 | ||
| Tennessee | $62,420 | $36,320 | +$26,100 | ||
| Texas | $81,500 | $34,850 | +$46,650 | ||
| Utah | $66,080 | $37,560 | +$28,520 | ||
| Virginia | $74,960 | $37,450 | +$37,510 | ||
| Washington | $77,590 | $44,150 | +$33,440 | ||
| West Virginia | $60,370 | $32,350 | +$28,020 | ||
| Wisconsin | $59,960 | $36,850 | +$23,110 | ||
| Wyoming | $62,750 | $37,880 | +$24,870 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Occupational Therapy Assistants vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Occupational Therapy Assistants or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
On average across all states, a Occupational Therapy Assistants earns more than a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. The national median salary difference is $30,311 (78.3%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Occupational Therapy Assistants vs Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
The national median salary for a Occupational Therapy Assistants is $69,025 per year, compared to $38,713 for a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Occupational Therapy Assistants or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
There are more people employed as Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers. BLS reports approximately 51,290 Occupational Therapy Assistants positions and 126,190 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Occupational Therapy Assistants or Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Both Occupational Therapy Assistants and Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers 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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