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

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Mississippi employs 420 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $61,650 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Mississippi licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Mississippi (May 2025)

Mississippi median pay: $61,650 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $51,920
Experienced (75th percentile): $72,280
Top earners (90th percentile): $78,320
Employed in Mississippi: 420
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

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

Memphis: $64,010 (150 employed)
Jackson: $63,540 (120 employed)
Gulfport: $61,120 (60 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Mississippi

Prices in Mississippi run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,650 median stretches to roughly $70,862 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Mississippi (2024–2034)

Mississippi is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +40.7%, faster than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 90 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Mississippi License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — regulated by the Mississippi State Dept. of Health — Professional Licensure (Occupational Therapy).

Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.
Pass the NBCOT certification exam to become a COTA.
Apply for licensure through Mississippi State Dept. of Health Professional Licensure.

Official requirements: Mississippi State Dept. of Health — Professional Licensure (Occupational Therapy) →

Training in Mississippi

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Mississippi include:

Concorde Career College-Southaven — Associate
Hinds Community College — Associate
Holmes Community College — Associate
Itawamba Community College — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Mississippi

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

Reconnect Therapy and Wellness ( Bruce) — Bruce
First Place Physical Therapy — Columbia
Magnolia Outpatient Rehabilita — Columbus
360 Total Rehab — Flowood
Outpatient Rehabilitation of F — Fulton
River City Rehabilitation, LLC — Greenville

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 Mississippi?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Mississippi is $61,650 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $51,920, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $78,320. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), overseen by the Mississippi State Dept. of Health — Professional Licensure (Occupational Therapy). Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.

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

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

Which Mississippi metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among Mississippi metro areas, Memphis leads at $64,010, followed by Jackson ($63,540), Gulfport ($61,120). 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 Mississippi?

Real Mississippi options include Concorde Career College-Southaven, Hinds Community College, Holmes 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 Mississippi?

Mississippi projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +40.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 90 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), Mississippi statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Mississippi State Dept. of Health — Professional Licensure (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 Mississippi wages · Mississippi 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.