How Much Does a Cota Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$72,300
Certified occupational therapy assistants in the U.S. earn a median of $72,300 a year, or $34.76 an hour. Half of certified occupational therapy assistants earn more than $72,300 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $89,780.
Pay percentiles for certified occupational therapy assistants
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24.76 | $51,490 |
| 25th | $29.67 | $61,710 |
| 50th (median) | $34.76 | $72,300 |
| 75th | $38.06 | $79,160 |
| 90th | $43.16 | $89,780 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Occupational Therapy Assistants (SOC 31-2011). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for certified occupational therapy assistants
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $82,010 | $39.43 | +13% |
| California | $81,770 | $39.31 | +13% |
| Texas | $81,500 | $39.19 | +13% |
| Nevada | $79,510 | $38.23 | +10% |
| Arkansas | $78,940 | $37.95 | +9% |
| Delaware | $78,640 | $37.81 | +9% |
| Washington | $77,590 | $37.30 | +7% |
| New Mexico | $77,020 | $37.03 | +7% |
| Oregon | $76,850 | $36.95 | +6% |
| Georgia | $75,920 | $36.50 | +5% |
| United States | $72,300 | $34.76 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many certified occupational therapy assistants are there?
BLS counts about 51,290 certified occupational therapy assistants employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Occupational Therapy Assistants”. The most jobs are in Texas (5,610), Florida (3,910) and Ohio (3,890).
The mean (average) annual wage is $70,710, lower than the median of $72,300.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,025
- Biweekly
- $2,781
- Weekly
- $1,390
- Daily (8 hours)
- $278
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do certified occupational therapy assistants make an hour?
The median hourly wage for certified occupational therapy assistants is $34.76. The middle 50% earn between $29.67 and $38.06 an hour.
Which state pays certified occupational therapy assistants the most?
Maryland has the highest median wage for certified occupational therapy assistants at $82,010, +13% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for certified occupational therapy assistants?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of certified occupational therapy assistants earn less than $51,490 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.