Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Occupational Therapy Assistants in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $86,440 a year ($41.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,350 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $72,300. Pay here is 6% higher than the California statewide median of $81,770. There are 0.20 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $87,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,950 | $35.07 |
| 25th percentile | $76,550 | $36.81 |
| Median | $86,440 | $41.56 |
| 75th percentile | $97,720 | $46.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,350 | $50.17 |
| Average (mean) | $87,450 | $42.05 |
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 | $7,203.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,601.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,324.62 |
| Weekly | $1,662.31 |
| Hourly | $41.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $86,440 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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Occupational Therapy Assistant pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Aide | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $85,150 | $40.94 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Medical Assistant | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,130 | $22.66 |
| Dental Assistant | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $57,560 | $27.68 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $45,490 | $21.87 |
| Phlebotomist | $60,290 | $28.98 |
| Massage Therapist | $43,920 | $21.12 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $48,260 | $23.20 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $41,910 | $20.15 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $51,010 | $24.53 |
| Orderly | $50,040 | $24.06 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $86,440 a year, or $41.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $104,350 a year. The top 25% earn $97,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,950 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $76,550 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 40 occupational therapy assistants are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.