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Occupational Therapy Assistant in Alabama: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Alabama employs 750 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $62,250 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Alabama licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Alabama (May 2025)

Alabama median pay: $62,250 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $50,120
Experienced (75th percentile): $68,010
Top earners (90th percentile): $79,600
Employed in Alabama: 750
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants in major Alabama markets:

Birmingham: $63,170 (190 employed)
Mobile: $62,250 (40 employed)
Huntsville: $61,040 (60 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Alabama

Prices in Alabama run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,250 median stretches to roughly $70,101 in national buying-power terms.

Alabama License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — regulated by the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy.

Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.
Pass the NBCOT certification exam to become a COTA.
Apply to the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy.

Official requirements: Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy →

Training in Alabama

Strong demand in rehab, pediatrics, and senior care. Confirm ACOTE accreditation and fieldwork placements.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Alabama include:

Bishop State Community College — Associate
Central Alabama Community College — Associate
Chattahoochee Valley Community College — Associate
Enterprise State Community College — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Alabama

Real Alabama outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:

The Summit Health & Rehab Services — Alexander City
The Summit Health & Rehab Services — Bay Minette
Restore Outpatient at the Bluffs — Birmingham
Impact Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Inc. — Calera
Cornerstone Fitness & Wellness — Clanton
Restore Outpatient of Chilton County — Clanton

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Patient, practical people who enjoy helping others rebuild daily-life skills.

Think twice if: You want independent desk work or dislike clinical documentation.

Why it's resilient: Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

First Steps

Find ACOTE-accredited OTA programs and review fieldwork requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Alabama?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Alabama is $62,250 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $50,120, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,600. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Alabama?

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), overseen by the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy. Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.

Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in Alabama?

Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

Which Alabama metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among Alabama metro areas, Birmingham leads at $63,170, followed by Mobile ($62,250), Huntsville ($61,040). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Alabama?

Real Alabama options include Bishop State Community College, Central Alabama Community College, Chattahoochee Valley Community College. Most occupational therapy assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Alabama statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Alabama wages · Alabama licensing/certification source

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.