Salary data · California
Occupational therapy assistant salary in California
Occupational therapy assistants in California earn a mean of $84,690 a year and a median of $81,770, 19.8% above the national mean of $70,710. That ranks 1st of the 50 states with a published estimate.
$84,690
Mean annual wage
about $41 an hour
$81,770
Median annual wage
1st of 50
State rank
by mean wage
3,840
OTAs employed
BLS estimate
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 estimates. These are estimates for occupational therapy assistants already employed in California, not offers; the hourly figure divides the annual mean by 2,080 hours. Setting, specialty and caseload move an individual offer well above or below them. Updated October 22, 2026.
By metro
Occupational therapy assistant pay by metro in California
| Metro | Mean | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $99,250 | $97,860 | 290 |
| Sacramento | $92,750 | $95,180 | 170 |
| San Diego | $85,120 | $82,680 | 360 |
| Los Angeles | $81,740 | $78,090 | 1,720 |
| Riverside | $81,440 | $80,070 | 400 |
Source: BLS OEWS metropolitan estimates. Suppressed cells show n/a.
The market
How many occupational therapy assistants work in California
Source: NPPES monthly file, October 2026 (CMS, public domain), as of October 2026.
Licensed in another state?
California is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full California license before starting.
How the OT Compact works →Open roles
OTA openings in California
Other roles in California
Thinking about a OTA move in California?
Send a resume and a few lines on the setting, schedule and pay you want. A licensed clinician reads every one, and it stays confidential.