Occupational Therapy Assistants Salary
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Maryland make a median of $82,010 a year, or about $39.43 an hour. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.76), that's roughly $83,040 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,795/month, about 34.9% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Maryland. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $82K get you in Maryland?
About occupational therapy assistants
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Maryland
Maryland sits well above the national pay line for occupational therapy assistants, local pay runs about 13% higher than the U.S. median of $72K. Rent runs $1,795/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 98.76) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Maryland
Entry-level occupational therapy assistants (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K. Top earners bring in $96K or more, a $33K spread from bottom to top.
Occupational Therapy Assistants salary by metro in Maryland
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | $83K | +1% | 310 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | $69K | -16% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track occupational therapy assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Maryland numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare Support
Frequently asked questions
Can a occupational therapy assistant afford a 2BR apartment alone in Maryland?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $82K, rent takes 34.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,795/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for occupational therapy assistants in Maryland?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new occupational therapy assistants typically earn — is $62K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,743/month. At HUD’s $1,795/month FMR, rent would take 48% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is occupational therapy assistant a high-paying job in Maryland?
Local pay is 13% above the national median — $82K here vs. $72K nationally.
How does Maryland compare to the national average for occupational therapy assistants?
Maryland pays $82K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s +13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.76), the purchasing-power equivalent is $83K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Maryland?
The median is $82,010 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,380, and experienced occupational therapy assistants can clear $95,520. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in Maryland?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,197/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,795/month, which eats 34.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a occupational therapy assistants salary go in Maryland?
Maryland has a Regional Price Parity of 98.76 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median occupational therapy assistants salary is worth about $83,040 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do occupational therapy assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.