How to Become An Occupational Therapy Assistant in Alabama
Alabama employs approximately 750 occupational therapy assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $62,250 1. Nationally, occupational therapy assistant employment is projected to grow 19.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 7,200 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an occupational therapy assistant in Alabama, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Occupational Therapy Assistant in Alabama
How do I become an occupational therapy assistant in Alabama? Alabama requires credentials such as Licensed Occupational Therapist Assistant. The licensing authority is the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Alabama? Yes. Alabama has licensing or registration requirements for occupational therapy assistants. The Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do occupational therapy assistants earn in Alabama? The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in Alabama is $62,250 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $50,120 and experienced professionals can earn $79,600 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Alabama): $62,250 per year 1
Occupational Therapy Assistant License Requirements in Alabama
The Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy oversees occupational therapy assistant licensing in Alabama 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Licensed Occupational Therapist Assistant | An applicant for licensure as an occupational therapy assistant shall be a citizen of the United States or a person who is legally present in the United States with appropriate documentation from the… |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Alabama
Occupational Therapy Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Alabama
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), occupational therapy assistants wages in Alabama vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 190 | $63,170 | $67,830 | $50,100 | $81,910 |
| Huntsville | 60 | $61,040 | $63,820 | $50,720 | $82,840 |
| Mobile | 40 | $62,250 | $65,150 | $52,700 | $82,780 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals | 30 | $57,450 | $60,420 | $47,170 | $79,400 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Occupational therapy assistants in Alabama
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest occupational therapy assistant employment within Alabama according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 190 | $63,170 |
| Huntsville | 60 | $61,040 |
| Mobile | 40 | $62,250 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals | 30 | $57,450 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for occupational therapy assistants in Alabama? Alabama currently employs approximately 750 occupational therapy assistants 1. Nationally, occupational therapy assistant employment is projected to grow 19.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an occupational therapy assistant in Alabama with an out-of-state license? Reciprocity varies. Contact the Alabama licensing authority for details on transferring credentials.
What training programs are available in Alabama? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Alabama.
How much do occupational therapy assistants earn in Alabama compared to the national average? The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in Alabama is $62,250, which is $6,090 below the national median of $68,340 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy - Licensing Information: https://www.ot.alabama.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |