Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in California
Occupational Therapy Assistants in California earn a median of $81,770 a year ($39.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,840 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,990 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $72,300. California ranks 2nd of 50 states for occupational therapy assistants pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.21 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $84,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,680 | $31.58 |
| 25th percentile | $76,350 | $36.71 |
| Median | $81,770 | $39.31 |
| 75th percentile | $96,720 | $46.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,990 | $50.48 |
| Average (mean) | $84,690 | $40.72 |
Half of occupational therapy assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,814.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,407.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,145 |
| Weekly | $1,572.50 |
| Hourly | $39.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $97,860 | 290 |
| Modesto, CA | $96,210 | 30 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $95,370 | 160 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $95,190 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $95,180 | 170 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $86,440 | 40 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $84,400 | 60 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $82,680 | 360 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $82,060 | 80 |
| Visalia, CA | $81,200 | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $80,070 | 400 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $78,090 | 1,720 |
| Fresno, CA | $76,030 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapy assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $82,010 |
| California | $81,770 |
| Texas | $81,500 |
| Nevada | $79,510 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 |
| Delaware | $78,640 |
| Washington | $77,590 |
| New Mexico | $77,020 |
| Oregon | $76,850 |
| Georgia | $75,920 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $83,110 | $39.96 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $43,480 | $20.91 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Medical Assistant | $49,660 | $23.88 |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,110 | $24.09 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,130 | $23.62 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $46,260 | $22.24 |
| Massage Therapist | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Phlebotomist | $56,040 | $26.94 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $61,370 | $29.50 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $42,200 | $20.29 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $45,050 | $21.66 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make in California?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in California is $81,770 a year, or $39.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in California?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in California earn at least $104,990 a year. The top 25% earn $96,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,680 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $76,350 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in California?
About 3,840 occupational therapy assistants are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.