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

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Louisiana employs 760 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $66,090 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Louisiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Louisiana (May 2025)

Louisiana median pay: $66,090 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $31,530
Experienced (75th percentile): $77,820
Top earners (90th percentile): $83,200
Employed in Louisiana: 760
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

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

Lake Charles: $77,820 (50 employed)
Shreveport: $69,570 (90 employed)
New Orleans: $65,850 (130 employed)
Lafayette: $64,900 (60 employed)
Baton Rouge: $63,030 (130 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Louisiana

Prices in Louisiana run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $66,090 median stretches to roughly $74,932 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Louisiana (2024–2034)

Louisiana is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +16.3%, slower than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 100 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Louisiana License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (Occupational Therapy).

Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.
Pass the NBCOT certification exam to become a COTA.
Apply for licensure through the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.

Official requirements: Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (Occupational Therapy) →

Training in Louisiana

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Louisiana include:

Blue Cliff College-Alexandria — Associate
Blue Cliff College-Metairie — Associate
Bossier Parish Community College — Associate
Delgado Community College — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Louisiana

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

Rapides Physical Therapy — Alexandria
Baton Rouge Physical Therapy — Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge Speech & Hearing Foundation — Baton Rouge
Hope Therapy Clinic — Baton Rouge
Triton Healthcare, Inc — Denham Springs
Affiliated Therapy Services Inc — Hammond

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 Louisiana?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Louisiana is $66,090 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $31,530, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $83,200. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

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

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

Which Louisiana metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among Louisiana metro areas, Lake Charles leads at $77,820, followed by Shreveport ($69,570), New Orleans ($65,850). 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 Louisiana?

Real Louisiana options include Blue Cliff College-Alexandria, Blue Cliff College-Metairie, Bossier Parish Community College. 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 Louisiana?

Louisiana projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +16.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 100 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), Louisiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (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 Louisiana wages · Louisiana 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.