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

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Virginia employs 1,130 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $74,960 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Virginia licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Virginia (May 2025)

Virginia median pay: $74,960 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $57,250
Experienced (75th percentile): $79,500
Top earners (90th percentile): $89,560
Employed in Virginia: 1,130
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

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

Washington DC metro: $88,250 (420 employed)
Charlottesville: $79,770 (40 employed)
Lynchburg: $78,230 (40 employed)
Richmond: $76,760 (210 employed)
Roanoke: $72,870 (60 employed)
Virginia Beach–Norfolk: $65,730 (300 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Virginia

Prices in Virginia run about 1% above the national average (cost-of-living index 101.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $74,960 median is worth closer to $74,144 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Virginia (2024–2034)

Virginia is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +27.9%, faster than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 230 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Virginia License and Certification Requirements

Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) license — regulated by the Virginia Board of Occupational Therapy (Department of Health Professions).

Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program (associate degree, typically 2 years with Level I and Level II fieldwork rotations).
Pass the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam.
Apply for Virginia OTA licensure through the Department of Health Professions. OTAs practice under supervision of a licensed OT. Renew biennially with continuing education.

Official requirements: Virginia Board of Occupational Therapy (Department of Health Professions) →

Training in Virginia

Virginia ACOTE-accredited OTA programs include those at Northern Virginia Community College, Tidewater Community College, and Jefferson College of Health Sciences. School-based OT roles in Virginia's large public school systems (Fairfax County, Virginia Beach City, Chesterfield) are a significant employment pathway, as are the state's many rehabilitation hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Virginia include:

American National University — Associate
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach — Associate
Chester Career College — Associate
ECPI University — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Virginia

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

Select Physical Therapy — Alexandria
National Rehabilitation Hospital Inc — Arlington
Powerback Rehabilitation — Arlington
Select Physical Therapy — Arlington
Ashby Ponds Outpatient Rehabilitation Agency — Ashburn
Select Physical Therapy — Ashland

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 Virginia?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Virginia is $74,960 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $57,250, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $89,560. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) license, overseen by the Virginia Board of Occupational Therapy (Department of Health Professions). Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program (associate degree, typically 2 years with Level I and Level II fieldwork rotations).

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

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

Which Virginia metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among Virginia metro areas, Washington DC metro leads at $88,250, followed by Charlottesville ($79,770), Lynchburg ($78,230). 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 Virginia?

Real Virginia options include American National University, Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach, Chester Career 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 Virginia?

Virginia projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +27.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 230 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), Virginia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Virginia Board of Occupational Therapy (Department of Health Professions) (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 Virginia wages · Virginia 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.