Ranked results
Top state markets for occupational therapy assistants
Start with the rank, key stats, decision context, and the reason each option lands where it does.
Rank #1
Texas
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Why we ranked it here At #1, Texas has $79,750 mean wage. BLS also estimates 5,610 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.21. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #2
Ohio
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Why we ranked it here At #2, Ohio has $64,770 mean wage. BLS also estimates 3,890 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 2.13. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #3
California
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Why we ranked it here At #3, California has $84,690 mean wage. BLS also estimates 3,840 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.64. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #4
Arkansas
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Why we ranked it here At #4, Arkansas has $76,900 mean wage. BLS also estimates 730 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.69. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #5
Florida
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Why we ranked it here At #5, Florida has $70,310 mean wage. BLS also estimates 3,910 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.19. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #6
Oklahoma
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Why we ranked it here At #6, Oklahoma has $66,710 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,000 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.77. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #7
Connecticut
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Why we ranked it here At #7, Connecticut has $70,500 mean wage. BLS also estimates 820 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.46. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #8
Maryland
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Why we ranked it here At #8, Maryland has $79,890 mean wage. BLS also estimates 710 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.78. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #9
Pennsylvania
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Why we ranked it here At #9, Pennsylvania has $67,750 mean wage. BLS also estimates 2,560 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.28. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #10
Delaware
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Why we ranked it here At #10, Delaware has $75,930 mean wage. BLS also estimates 220 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.39. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #11
Missouri
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Why we ranked it here At #11, Missouri has $66,030 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,470 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.52. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #12
New Jersey
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Why we ranked it here At #12, New Jersey has $77,640 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,080 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.76. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #13
Indiana
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Why we ranked it here At #13, Indiana has $67,160 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,490 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.41. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #14
Rhode Island
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Why we ranked it here At #14, Rhode Island has $67,840 mean wage. BLS also estimates 300 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.80. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #15
Arizona
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Why we ranked it here At #15, Arizona has $72,100 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,120 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.04. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #16
Illinois
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Why we ranked it here At #16, Illinois has $65,580 mean wage. BLS also estimates 2,470 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.23. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #17
Massachusetts
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Why we ranked it here At #17, Massachusetts has $68,340 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,410 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.18. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #18
Colorado
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Why we ranked it here At #18, Colorado has $76,690 mean wage. BLS also estimates 710 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.75. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #19
Virginia
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Why we ranked it here At #19, Virginia has $73,140 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,130 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.84. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #20
South Carolina
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Why we ranked it here At #20, South Carolina has $70,480 mean wage. BLS also estimates 830 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.10. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #21
North Carolina
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Why we ranked it here At #21, North Carolina has $69,270 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,590 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.97. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #22
Kansas
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Why we ranked it here At #22, Kansas has $66,420 mean wage. BLS also estimates 660 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.39. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #23
Washington
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Why we ranked it here At #23, Washington has $76,310 mean wage. BLS also estimates 720 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.61. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #24
Georgia
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Why we ranked it here At #24, Georgia has $72,080 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,060 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.66. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Rank #25
New Mexico
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Why we ranked it here At #25, New Mexico has $71,550 mean wage. BLS also estimates 300 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.04. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.
Decision guide
How to use this ranking
Use this ranking when comparing OTA relocation options, assistant job-market strength, or whether a local OTA program is near a durable assistant labor market.
Use it this way
- Compare wage strength with OTA job depth, density, and concentration instead of salary alone.
- Use the state rank as a first screen, then check metro markets and actual openings before relocating.
- Pair the market ranking with OTA salary by setting and OTA school rankings when choosing a program.
Decision factors
- Does the state have enough OTA jobs, or just a high wage estimate?
- Are assistant roles concentrated enough to suggest employers use OTAs consistently?
- Will housing, commute, benefits, and supervision model change the practical value of the market?