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

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Indiana employs 1,490 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $66,660 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Indiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Indiana (May 2025)

Indiana median pay: $66,660 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $43,340
Experienced (75th percentile): $76,580
Top earners (90th percentile): $86,870
Employed in Indiana: 1,490
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

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

Fort Wayne: $73,130 (100 employed)
Indianapolis: $67,290 (700 employed)
Evansville: $66,200 (120 employed)
South Bend: $61,700 (50 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Indiana

Prices in Indiana run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $66,660 median stretches to roughly $71,447 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Indiana (2024–2034)

Indiana is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +21.1%, faster than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 190 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Indiana License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — regulated by the Indiana Occupational Therapy Committee — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA).

Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program at Indiana University, Ivy Tech Community College, or the University of Southern Indiana (Evansville).
Pass the NBCOT COTA exam.
Apply to the Indiana Occupational Therapy Committee (IPLA) for licensure. Renew every two years.

Official requirements: Indiana Occupational Therapy Committee — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) →

Training in Indiana

Indiana has multiple ACOTE-accredited OTA programs through Ivy Tech's network. SNFs, school systems, hospital rehab units, and outpatient therapy centers in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and South Bend are the primary OTA employers. Indiana's large manufacturing workforce also drives industrial rehabilitation OTA demand.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Indiana include:

Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global — Associate
Ivy Tech Community College — Associate
Purdue University Global — Associate
Ross Medical Education Center-Fort Wayne — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Indiana

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

Indiana Physical Therapy Inc — Angola
Select Physical Therapy — Avon
Indiana Physical Therapy Inc — Bluffton
Chesterton Physical Therapy, Inc — Chesterton
Select Physical Therapy — Columbus
Select Rehabilitaton LLC — Columbus

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 Indiana?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Indiana is $66,660 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $43,340, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $86,870. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), overseen by the Indiana Occupational Therapy Committee — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA). Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program at Indiana University, Ivy Tech Community College, or the University of Southern Indiana (Evansville).

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

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

Which Indiana metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among Indiana metro areas, Fort Wayne leads at $73,130, followed by Indianapolis ($67,290), Evansville ($66,200). 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 Indiana?

Real Indiana options include Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global, Ivy Tech Community College, Purdue University Global. 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 Indiana?

Indiana projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +21.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 190 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), Indiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Indiana Occupational Therapy Committee — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) (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 Indiana wages · Indiana 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.