Occupational therapy assistant salary in California

Occupational therapy assistants in California earn a median $81,770 a year. That's 13% above the national median, ranking California #2 of 49 states.

Median pay
$81,770
Median hourly
$39.31
Typical range
$65,680–$104,990
Jobs
3,840

Pay range

Annual pay percentiles for occupational therapy assistants in California
PercentileAnnual payU.S.
10th (entry level)$65,680$51,490
25th$76,350$61,710
Median$81,770$72,300
75th$96,720$79,160
90th (top earners)$104,990$89,780

Pay in California metro areas

Median pay by metro area
Metro areaMedian payJobs
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$78,0901,720

Compare other states

  1. 1Maryland$82,010
  2. 2California$81,770
  3. 3Texas$81,500
  4. 4Nevada$79,510
  5. 5Arkansas$78,940
  6. 6Delaware$78,640
  7. 7Washington$77,590
  8. 8New Mexico$77,020
  9. 9Oregon$76,850
  10. 10Georgia$75,920
  11. 11Colorado$75,340
  12. 12Massachusetts$75,040
  13. 13New Jersey$74,960
  14. 14Virginia$74,960
  15. 15South Carolina$73,740
  16. 16Arizona$73,490
  17. 17Montana$72,800
  18. 18Connecticut$72,780
  19. 19Hawaii$72,710
  20. 20Florida$71,630
  21. 21Pennsylvania$71,590
  22. 22North Carolina$69,390
  23. 23New York$68,530
  24. 24New Hampshire$67,790
  25. 25Rhode Island$66,710
  26. 26Indiana$66,660
  27. 27Oklahoma$66,520
  28. –District of Columbia$66,390
  29. 28Louisiana$66,090
  30. 29Utah$66,080
  31. 30Missouri$66,070
  32. 31Idaho$65,330
  33. 32Kentucky$65,230
  34. 33Kansas$65,010
  35. 34Minnesota$64,920
  36. 35Maine$64,270
  37. 36Iowa$64,140
  38. 37Illinois$64,120
  39. 38Michigan$63,260
  40. 39Nebraska$63,180
  41. 40Wyoming$62,750
  42. 41Ohio$62,700
  43. 42Tennessee$62,420
  44. 43Alabama$62,250
  45. 44Mississippi$61,650
  46. 45North Dakota$60,970
  47. 46West Virginia$60,370
  48. 47Wisconsin$59,960
  49. 48South Dakota$56,180
  50. 49Alaska$53,530

Start training

See what the work is like and how long training takes, then compare schools in California.

OTA programs in CaliforniaHow to become an occupational therapy assistant

Frequently asked questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in California?

The median pay for occupational therapy assistants in California is $81,770 a year ($39.31 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $65,680, and the top 10% earn over $104,990.

Is California a good state for occupational therapy assistants?

California ranks #2 of 49 states for median occupational therapy assistant pay, 13% above the national median of $72,300. Living costs vary a lot by state, so compare pay with local housing costs.

How can an occupational therapy assistant earn more?

Pay rises with experience, certifications, specialized skills, overtime and willingness to travel. Union jobs and employers in high-cost metro areas often pay more. Our guide on how to become an occupational therapy assistant covers the certifications that matter most.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Occupational Therapy Assistants, SOC 31-2011). Figures exclude self-employed workers.