How to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 5,610 occupational therapy assistants earning a median $81,500 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an Occupational Therapy Assistant here means completing an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, the NBCOT COTA exam, and state OTA licensure. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
Texas employs approximately 5,610 occupational therapy assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $81,500 1. The state’s concentration of occupational therapy assistant jobs is 1.21x 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 Texas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy assistant program (find programs)
- Typical timeline: an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, the NBCOT COTA exam, and state OTA licensure
- Exam: NBCOT COTA
- Median wage (Texas): $81,500 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Texas
How to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Texas? Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, the NBCOT COTA exam, and state OTA licensure. Apply through the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, the NBCOT COTA exam, and state OTA licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the program and the program and employer.
Do I need a license in Texas? Yes. Texas typically registers this role through the program and employer. See the licensing section below.
What do occupational therapy assistants earn in Texas? The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in Texas is $81,500 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $60,980 and experienced professionals can earn $95,900 or more 1.
How to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Texas
- Meet program entry rules. OTA programs typically require a high school diploma or GED and prerequisites.
- Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA program. Finish an associate-level ACOTE-accredited program in Texas. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Pass NBCOT COTA. Pass the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant exam.
- Apply for state OTA licensure. Apply to the program and employer. Do not treat occupational therapist rows as the assistant path.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Occupational Therapy Assistant License Requirements in Texas
Occupational therapy assistants complete an ACOTE-accredited program, pass NBCOT COTA, and apply to the program and employer.
Typical path
Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA program.
Pass NBCOT COTA.
Apply to the program and employer for OTA licensure.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Occupational Therapy Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), occupational therapy assistants wages in Texas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 1,220 | $81,170 | $80,140 | $54,250 | $95,200 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 1,190 | $81,500 | $86,300 | $81,500 | $95,900 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 900 | $81,340 | $79,660 | $61,890 | $94,070 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 420 | $79,240 | $79,960 | $63,580 | $93,870 |
| El Paso | 130 | $74,640 | $73,090 | $60,320 | $89,440 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 120 | $73,720 | $72,150 | $49,140 | $88,950 |
| Amarillo | 90 | $76,720 | $74,170 | $54,340 | $88,250 |
| Killeen-Temple | 90 | $76,290 | $72,980 | $50,320 | $94,610 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 80 | $72,190 | $69,360 | $53,710 | $85,670 |
| Corpus Christi | 80 | $74,430 | $70,800 | $49,600 | $81,190 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 70 | $82,610 | $80,320 | $57,700 | $94,610 |
| Lubbock | 70 | $79,690 | $76,850 | $60,940 | $94,610 |
| Tyler | 70 | $75,280 | $74,510 | $50,010 | $91,740 |
| Victoria | 60 | $73,720 | $76,240 | $66,730 | $92,810 |
| Laredo | 50 | $64,090 | $63,610 | $46,890 | $82,640 |
| Longview | 50 | $76,070 | $75,550 | $54,630 | $94,690 |
| Waco | 50 | $77,170 | $77,670 | $60,900 | $90,880 |
| Wichita Falls | 50 | $74,450 | $77,320 | $71,480 | $96,100 |
| College Station-Bryan | 40 | $75,670 | $70,430 | $34,900 | $89,090 |
| 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 .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for occupational therapy assistants in Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 5,610 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 Texas with an out-of-state license? Contact the program and employer for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Texas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Texas.
How much do occupational therapy assistants earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in Texas is $81,500, which is $13,160 above the national median of $68,340 according to BLS data 1.
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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) |