Occupational Therapy Assistants vs. Nursing Assistants: Who Earns More?
Occupational Therapy Assistants out-earn Nursing Assistants by $30K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Occupational Therapy Assistants land at $72,300 and Nursing Assistants at $42,260. The education gap is real: occupational therapy assistant programs typically require postsecondary nondegree award, while nursing assistant programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Occupational Therapy Assistants is Maryland ($82,010); for Nursing Assistants it's Oregon ($49,830).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Occupational Therapy Assistants median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Occupational Therapy Assistants or Nursing Assistants?
Occupational Therapy Assistants earn more nationally. The median is $72,300 for Occupational Therapy Assistants versus $42,260 for Nursing Assistants, a difference of $30K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Occupational Therapy Assistants or Nursing Assistants?
Occupational Therapy Assistants has the better 10-year outlook at 19.2% projected growth, compared to 2.3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Occupational Therapy Assistants or Nursing Assistants?
Occupational Therapy Assistants typically requires postsecondary nondegree award. Nursing Assistants requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Occupational Therapy Assistants get paid the most?
Maryland is the top-paying state for Occupational Therapy Assistants at $82,010/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Occupational Therapy Assistants vs. Nursing Assistants pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Occupational Therapy Assistants earn $81,770 vs. $47,630 for Nursing Assistants. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.