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

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Idaho employs 210 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $65,330 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Idaho licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Idaho (May 2025)

Idaho median pay: $65,330 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $59,820
Experienced (75th percentile): $73,280
Top earners (90th percentile): $74,720
Employed in Idaho: 210
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

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

Boise City: $66,550 (110 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Idaho

Prices in Idaho run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 95.5 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $65,330 median stretches to roughly $68,408 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Idaho (2024–2034)

Idaho is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +36.8%, faster than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 40 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Idaho License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — regulated by the Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses (DOPL) — Occupational Therapy.

Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.
Pass the NBCOT certification exam to become a COTA.
Apply through DOPL.

Official requirements: Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses (DOPL) — Occupational Therapy →

Training in Idaho

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Idaho include:

Brigham Young University-Idaho — Associate
Carrington College-Boise — Associate
College of Eastern Idaho — Associate
College of Southern Idaho — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Idaho

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

Peak Performance Therapy Service — Ammon
Mountain Land Rehabilitation — Boise
Burley Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation — Burley
Intermountain Physical Therapy — Meridian
St Alphonsus Outpatient Rehabilitation Services — Meridian
North Idaho Speech Language As — Sandpoint

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 Idaho?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Idaho is $65,330 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $59,820, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $74,720. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), overseen by the Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses (DOPL) — Occupational Therapy. Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.

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

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

Which Idaho metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among Idaho metro areas, Boise City leads at $66,550. 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 Idaho?

Real Idaho options include Brigham Young University-Idaho, Carrington College-Boise, College of Eastern Idaho. Most occupational therapy assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career in Idaho?

Idaho projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +36.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 40 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Idaho statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses (DOPL) — 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 Idaho wages · Idaho licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); 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.