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

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Maryland employs 710 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $82,010 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Maryland licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Maryland (May 2025)

Maryland median pay: $82,010 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $62,380
Experienced (75th percentile): $88,710
Top earners (90th percentile): $95,520
Employed in Maryland: 710
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

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

Washington DC metro: $88,250 (420 employed)
Baltimore: $82,620 (310 employed)
Hagerstown: $69,270 (70 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Maryland

Prices in Maryland run about 5% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $82,010 median is worth closer to $78,105 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Maryland (2024–2034)

Maryland is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +22.5%, faster than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 110 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Maryland License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — regulated by the Maryland Department of Health — Health Occupations Licensure.

Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program at CCBC or Hagerstown Community College.
Pass the NBCOT COTA exam.
Apply to the Maryland Department of Health for OTA licensure. Renew every two years.

Official requirements: Maryland Department of Health — Health Occupations Licensure →

Training in Maryland

Johns Hopkins, MedStar Health, and the large network of SNFs and school systems in the DC Maryland suburbs are major OTA employers. Maryland OTA wages are above the national median. The state's large federal employee and contractor population (with comprehensive federal health benefits) drives demand for occupational therapy services.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Maryland include:

Allegany College of Maryland — Associate
Anne Arundel Community College — Associate
Baltimore City Community College — Associate
Carroll Community College — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Maryland

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

Baywoods Cooperative Housing Corporation — Annapolis
Novacare Rehabilitation — Annapolis
Db Therapy Group LLC — Baltimore
Novacare Rehabilitation — Baltimore
University of Maryland Rehabilitation — Baltimore
Medstar Health Physical Therapy — Beltsville

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 Maryland?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Maryland is $82,010 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $62,380, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $95,520. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), overseen by the Maryland Department of Health — Health Occupations Licensure. Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program at CCBC or Hagerstown Community College.

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

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

Which Maryland metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among Maryland metro areas, Washington DC metro leads at $88,250, followed by Baltimore ($82,620), Hagerstown ($69,270). 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 Maryland?

Real Maryland options include Allegany College of Maryland, Anne Arundel Community College, Baltimore City 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 Maryland?

Maryland projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +22.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 110 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), Maryland statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Maryland Department of Health — Health Occupations Licensure (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 Maryland wages · Maryland 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.