Top 15 cities for occupational therapy aides by average salary
| Riverside, CA | $63,840 |
|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $57,570 |
| Seattle, WA | $48,470 |
| New York, NY | $47,100 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $46,830 |
| Dallas, TX | $46,320 |
| San Francisco, CA | $45,830 |
| Houston, TX | $45,490 |
| Hartford, CT | $44,600 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $44,000 |
| Chicago, IL | $43,350 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $42,700 |
| Atlanta, GA | $42,020 |
| Omaha, NE | $41,400 |
| Cleveland, OH | $41,040 |
Map: Occupational Therapy Aides salary by metro area
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Occupational Therapy Aides salary by state
North Carolina pays occupational therapy aides the most statewide, $61,360 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $61,360 | $66,190 | 250 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Mexico | $55,260 | $43,170 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Colorado | $48,030 | $40,110 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Washington | $47,830 | $45,890 | 190 | 1 | $48,470 | $48,470 |
| New York | $47,660 | $46,220 | 250 | 1 | $47,100 | $47,100 |
| California | $46,930 | $43,480 | 330 | 3 | $63,840 | $42,700 |
| New Jersey | $45,300 | $44,470 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Connecticut | $44,190 | $44,840 | 110 | 1 | $44,600 | $44,600 |
| Nevada | $43,750 | $36,440 | 100 | 1 | $46,830 | $46,830 |
| Nebraska | $43,720 | $44,980 | 90 | 1 | $41,400 | $41,400 |
| Illinois | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $43,350 | $43,350 |
| Texas | $42,920 | $37,180 | 410 | 2 | $46,320 | $45,490 |
| Washington, D.C. | $42,480 | $39,620 | n/a | 1 | $57,570 | $57,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,740 | $37,100 | 320 | 2 | $44,000 | $39,050 |
| Michigan | $41,270 | $39,050 | 60 | 1 | $39,760 | $39,760 |
| Massachusetts | $41,220 | $40,160 | 90 | 1 | $39,290 | $39,290 |
| Georgia | $40,070 | $38,090 | 200 | 1 | $42,020 | $42,020 |
| Louisiana | $39,070 | $28,560 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Wisconsin | $38,650 | $36,760 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Indiana | $38,550 | $38,250 | n/a | 1 | $37,890 | $37,890 |
| Missouri | $38,020 | $38,890 | 110 | 2 | $37,710 | $37,190 |
| Oklahoma | $37,810 | $34,670 | 90 | 1 | $38,240 | $38,240 |
| Ohio | $36,980 | $36,380 | 200 | 1 | $41,040 | $41,040 |
| South Carolina | $36,130 | $31,950 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Maryland | $34,330 | $33,310 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Idaho | $33,260 | $32,590 | 120 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Tennessee | $31,980 | $27,840 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Mississippi | $26,500 | $24,300 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Occupational Therapy Aides salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside, CA | $63,840 | $68,550 | $30.69 | 30 |
| Washington, DC | $57,570 | $45,840 | $27.68 | 100 |
| Seattle, WA | $48,470 | $38,550 | $23.31 | 130 |
| New York, NY | $47,100 | $46,260 | $22.64 | 200 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $46,830 | $36,920 | $22.51 | 60 |
| Dallas, TX | $46,320 | $42,790 | $22.27 | 110 |
| San Francisco, CA | $45,830 | $44,980 | $22.03 | n/a |
| Houston, TX | $45,490 | $41,400 | $21.87 | 70 |
| Hartford, CT | $44,600 | $46,320 | $21.44 | 40 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $44,000 | $40,200 | $21.15 | 70 |
| Chicago, IL | $43,350 | $43,270 | $20.84 | 50 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $42,700 | $39,820 | $20.53 | n/a |
| Atlanta, GA | $42,020 | $38,090 | $20.20 | 130 |
| Omaha, NE | $41,400 | $39,950 | $19.91 | 50 |
| Cleveland, OH | $41,040 | $38,860 | $19.73 | 60 |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $39,760 | $38,430 | $19.12 | 30 |
| Boston, MA | $39,290 | $35,340 | $18.89 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $39,050 | $37,100 | $18.77 | 150 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $38,240 | $34,110 | $18.39 | 60 |
| Bloomington, IN | $37,890 | $36,860 | $18.22 | n/a |
| St. Louis, MO | $37,710 | $38,600 | $18.13 | 60 |
| Columbia, MO | $37,190 | $33,480 | $17.88 | 30 |
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Occupational Therapy Aides salary: questions
Where do occupational therapy aides make the most money?
In Riverside, CA, with an average of $63,840 a year, among the 22 metro areas we cover.
What is the average occupational therapy aides salary in the U.S.?
$44,110 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $39,160, so half of occupational therapy aides earn more than that and half less.
What salary should occupational therapy aides ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of occupational therapy aides nationwide earn between $35,920 (25th percentile) and $46,780 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays occupational therapy aides the most?
North Carolina, with a statewide average of $61,360 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is occupational therapy aides pay the lowest?
Columbia, MO, at $37,190 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 31-2012.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.