How to Become An Occupational Therapy Assistant in Arkansas
Arkansas employs approximately 730 occupational therapy assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $78,940 1. The state’s concentration of occupational therapy assistant jobs is 1.69x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Arkansas, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Arkansas
How to become an occupational therapy assistant in Arkansas? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for occupational therapy assistants in Arkansas.
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.
What do occupational therapy assistants earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in Arkansas is $78,940 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $50,710 and experienced professionals can earn $98,960 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 (Arkansas): $78,940 per year 1
Occupational Therapy Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas
Occupational Therapy Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), occupational therapy assistants wages in Arkansas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | 260 | $78,720 | $75,110 | $44,570 | $100,700 |
| Memphis | 150 | $64,010 | $67,710 | $55,490 | $85,920 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | 100 | $80,910 | $81,980 | $56,200 | $111,370 |
| Jonesboro | 90 | $78,660 | $75,980 | $52,770 | $93,160 |
| Fort Smith | 40 | $80,660 | $80,000 | $65,970 | $99,780 |
| Texarkana | 40 | $79,720 | $76,490 | $62,380 | $86,970 |
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 .
Top Metros for Occupational therapy assistants in Arkansas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest occupational therapy assistant employment within Arkansas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | 260 | $78,720 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | 100 | $80,910 |
| Jonesboro | 90 | $78,660 |
| Fort Smith | 40 | $80,660 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for occupational therapy assistants in Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 730 occupational therapy assistants 1. Nationally, occupational therapy assistant employment is projected to grow 19.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Arkansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Arkansas.
How much do occupational therapy assistants earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in Arkansas is $78,940, which is $10,600 above 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |