Who Earns What

How much does an OT aide make?

US Occupational Therapy Aides
$39,160

a year · about $19 an hour

A typical OT aide in the United States makes $39,160 a year, about $19 an hour, below a typical US worker ($50,980) (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

They set up therapy rooms and equipment, greet or escort clients, and help with forms or appointment calls. Between sessions, they clean and put away equipment, restock supplies, and may record a client's vital signs.

Did you know? Some U.S. OT aides may take and record a client's vital signs before a therapy session—not just set up equipment.

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$39,160
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $29,430 and $70,200
47 of 100
not many

How do you become one?

In the US, earn a high school diploma or equivalent, then apply for OT aide jobs; an OT college degree or license is not normally needed. Employers train new aides on the job for several days or weeks, including equipment setup and infection control.

School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience

Good for people who like helping and teaching and building and doing

Why does pay differ?

In the US, aides with more experience or useful skills may earn more, and pay can differ by location and employer, such as a nursing home, hospital, or therapy office. Working more hours can raise total yearly earnings.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in North Carolina ($66,190), lowest in Mississippi ($24,300).

See every state
Whole US$39,160
North Carolina$66,190
New York$46,220
Washington$45,890
Nebraska$44,980
Connecticut$44,840
Louisiana$28,560
Tennessee$27,840
Mississippi$24,300

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
OT aide pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$29,430$39,160$70,200about 4,000
States where OT aides earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
North Carolina$66,190about 250
New York$46,220about 250
Washington$45,890about 190
Nebraska$44,980about 90
Connecticut$44,840about 110

Official definition: Under close supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing patient and treatment room.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

Pages used for the text

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY