OTA state ranking

Best States for Occupational Therapy Assistants

A BLS-backed ranking of state labor markets for occupational therapy assistants, using OTA wage strength, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.

OTA statesBLS OEWSMay 2025Assistant roles

Ranking report card

What this ranking covers

Coverage15 rankedPublished ranked cards with search, sorting, and shortlist comparison.
Profile depth15 profilesEvery ranked row opens a deeper profile or decision page.
FreshnessJune 25, 2026BLS OEWS May 2025 state time-series data for occupational therapy assistants, occupation code 31-2011.
Methodology4 factorsWeights sum to 100%, so readers can audit how the rank is built.
Score readComposite scorePrimary-source ranking. Scores compare options inside this ranking, not across every OT decision.

Ranked results

Top state markets for occupational therapy assistants

Each card separates source data, scoring, fit guidance, and caveats so readers can scan quickly without losing the methodology behind the rank.

15 ranked options
#175.9Score

Rank #1

Texas

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$79,750 mean wage
Employment and concentration5,610 OTA jobs; 1.21 LQ

OTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.

State averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.

#270.7Score

Rank #2

Ohio

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$64,770 mean wage
Employment and concentration3,890 OTA jobs; 2.13 LQ

OTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.

State averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.

#369.9Score
BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$84,690 mean wage
Employment and concentration3,840 OTA jobs; 0.64 LQ

OTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.

State averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.

#469.8Score

Rank #4

Arkansas

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$76,900 mean wage
Employment and concentration730 OTA jobs; 1.69 LQ

OTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.

State averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.

#560.7Score

Rank #5

Florida

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$70,310 mean wage
Employment and concentration3,910 OTA jobs; 1.19 LQ

OTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.

State averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.

#659.2Score

Rank #6

Oklahoma

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$66,710 mean wage
Employment and concentration1,000 OTA jobs; 1.77 LQ

OTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.

State averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.

#757.4Score
BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$70,500 mean wage
Employment and concentration820 OTA jobs; 1.46 LQ

OTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.

State averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.

#856.6Score

Rank #8

Maryland

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$79,890 mean wage
Employment and concentration710 OTA jobs; 0.78 LQ

OTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.

State averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.

#956.5Score
BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$67,750 mean wage
Employment and concentration2,560 OTA jobs; 1.28 LQ

OTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.

State averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.

#1056.3Score

Rank #10

Delaware

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$75,930 mean wage
Employment and concentration220 OTA jobs; 1.39 LQ

OTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.

State averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.

#1155.6Score

Rank #11

Missouri

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$66,030 mean wage
Employment and concentration1,470 OTA jobs; 1.52 LQ

OTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.

State averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.

#1255.6Score
BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$77,640 mean wage
Employment and concentration1,080 OTA jobs; 0.76 LQ

OTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.

State averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.

#1355.2Score

Rank #13

Indiana

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$67,160 mean wage
Employment and concentration1,490 OTA jobs; 1.41 LQ

OTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.

State averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.

#1454.7Score
BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$67,840 mean wage
Employment and concentration300 OTA jobs; 1.80 LQ

OTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.

State averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show supervision models, setting mix, benefits, licensure timing, or local employer quality.

#1553.4Score

Rank #15

Arizona

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$72,100 mean wage
Employment and concentration1,120 OTA jobs; 1.04 LQ

OTA students and assistants comparing statewide pay, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.

State 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 before choosing a program.

Ask before choosing

  • 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?

Methodology

How this ranking is weighted

Each ranking has its own weighting model. The table below shows the factors readers should consider before treating any rank as a final answer.

Mean annual wage40%

BLS OEWS mean annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in each state.

Employment depth25%

Total state OTA employment, which reflects role depth and employer-option breadth.

Employment density20%

OTA employment per 1,000 jobs, used to show where assistant roles are more visible in the local economy.

Job concentration15%

BLS location quotient, used as a concentration signal for OTA demand relative to the overall labor market.

FAQ

Common questions about this ranking

These answers explain how to read the ranking, what the data can show, and where readers should verify fit before deciding.

How should I use Best States for Occupational Therapy Assistants?

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.

What sources does this ranking use?

BLS OEWS May 2025 state time-series data for occupational therapy assistants, occupation code 31-2011. The page links to the primary source material used for the ranking.

What can this ranking miss?

This ranking uses official BLS state-level data for occupational therapy assistants. It does not include aides, and it does not measure supervision quality, setting mix, productivity expectations, or benefits. State averages are not cost-adjusted. Housing, commute, taxes, and employer mix can change the real value of a wage signal.

What should I read next?

Use this ranking with Best cities for OTAs, OTA salary by setting, Best OTA schools by state.

Best States for Occupational Therapy Assistants | The OT Index