Occupational Therapy Assistant in Arizona: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Arizona employs 1,120 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $73,490 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Arizona licensing picture, and where to train.
What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Arizona (May 2025)
- Arizona median pay
- $73,490 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $53,810
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $79,240
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $89,880
- Employed in Arizona
- 1,120
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $68,340 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants in major Arizona markets:
- Phoenix
- $76,080 (800 employed)
- Tucson
- $71,480 (160 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Arizona
Prices in Arizona run about 1% above the national average (cost-of-living index 100.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $73,490 median is worth closer to $72,979 once higher local prices are factored in.
Arizona License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — regulated by the Arizona Occupational Therapy Board.
- Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program (typically 2 years, plus Level II fieldwork in clinical and community settings).
- Pass the NBCOT COTA exam.
- Apply to the Arizona Occupational Therapy Board for licensure. Renew every two years with continuing education.
Official requirements: Arizona Occupational Therapy Board →
Training in Arizona
Pima Community College (Tucson) and Arizona Western College offer ACOTE-accredited OTA programs. Skilled nursing facilities, school districts, pediatric therapy centers, and hospital rehab units in the Phoenix and Tucson metros are the major employers.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Arizona include:
- Arizona Western College — Associate
- Brookline College-Phoenix — Associate
- Carrington College-Mesa — Associate
- Carrington College-Phoenix North — Associate
Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Arizona
Real Arizona outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:
- Vibrantcare Outpatient Rehabilitation West, Inc. — Casa Grande
- Banner Physical Therapy — Gilbert
- Banner Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation — Glendale
- Banner Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation — Kingman
- Banner Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation — Mesa
- Banner Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation — Payson
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 Arizona?
The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Arizona is $73,490 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $53,810, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $89,880. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Arizona?
Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), overseen by the Arizona Occupational Therapy Board. Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program (typically 2 years, plus Level II fieldwork in clinical and community settings).
Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in Arizona?
Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.
Which Arizona metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?
Among Arizona metro areas, Phoenix leads at $76,080, followed by Tucson ($71,480). 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 Arizona?
Real Arizona options include Arizona Western College, Brookline College-Phoenix, Carrington College-Mesa. 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), Arizona statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Arizona Occupational Therapy Board (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 Arizona wages · Arizona 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.