COTA Jobs in California

COTA jobs in California represent one of the most active occupational therapy assistant markets in the country, with steady demand in pediatrics, skilled nursing facilities, school-based therapy, and outpatient rehabilitation from entry-level to senior-level positions. The largest hiring concentrations are in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where systems like Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and Kindred Healthcare have established long-term cota hiring pipelines. School districts and pediatric outpatient clinics across Southern California consistently post the highest volume of openings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles9+
Top employerHealthPRO Heritage
Top cityCotati, CA
Cities hiring6
Work type100% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 9+ COTA jobs

Sharp HealthCare
Cota
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Sharp HealthCare
Added 6d ago
Cota
Sharp HealthCare
San Diego, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Occupational Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$34 - $49/hr
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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HealthPRO Heritage
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)
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HealthPRO Heritage
Added 3d ago
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)
HealthPRO Heritage
Hayward, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Occupational Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$40 - $46/hr
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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Ascend Rehab Inc
School Based Occupational Therapist or COTA
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Ascend Rehab Inc
Added 2w ago
School Based Occupational Therapist or COTA
Ascend Rehab Inc
San Jose, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Occupational Therapy
$80k - $120k/yr
On-Site
Master's
51-200

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Riverview, LLP
Exercise Science / Exercise Physiologist / Kinesiologist / Athletic Trainer -Industrial Injury Prevention (ATC, OT, PT, PTA, COTA, CEAS)
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Riverview, LLP
Added 2w ago
Exercise Science / Exercise Physiologist / Kinesiologist / Athletic Trainer -Industrial Injury Prevention (ATC, OT, PT, PTA, COTA, CEAS)
Riverview, LLP
San Luis Obispo, California
Healthcare Administration
Allied Health
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
$104k/yr
On-Site
Other

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Riverview, LLP
Exercise Science / Exercise Physiologist / Kinesiologist / Athletic Trainer -Industrial Injury Prevention (ATC, OT, PT, PTA, COTA, CEAS)
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Riverview, LLP
Added 2w ago
Exercise Science / Exercise Physiologist / Kinesiologist / Athletic Trainer -Industrial Injury Prevention (ATC, OT, PT, PTA, COTA, CEAS)
Riverview, LLP
Antioch, California
Healthcare Administration
Allied Health
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
On-Site
Other

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See All 9 COTA Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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COTA Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Cotati
3 jobs
Hayward
2 jobs
Antioch
1 jobs
San Diego
1 jobs
San Jose
1 jobs
San Luis Obispo
1 jobs

COTA Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • HealthPRO Heritage
    HealthPRO Heritage2
  • Riverview, LLP
    Riverview, LLP2
  • Ascend Rehab
    Ascend Rehab1
  • Servpro Industries
    Servpro Industries1
  • Sharp HealthCare
    Sharp HealthCare1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services4
  • Agriculture & Farming2
  • Consulting & Professional Services1
  • Food & Beverage1

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in COTA jobs across California.

  • Active California Occupational Therapy Assistant license issued by the California Board of Occupational Therapy
  • Associate degree in occupational therapy assisting from a ACOTE-accredited program
  • Current NBCOT certification as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • CPR and Basic Life Support certification current at time of hire
  • Experience with electronic health record systems such as Epic or Raintree
  • Ability to meet California Department of Public Health health screening and background check requirements

COTA Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a cota in California?

To become a cota in California, you must complete an associate degree from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy assistant program, pass the NBCOT certification exam, and then apply for a license through the California Board of Occupational Therapy. California requires all practicing cotas to hold an active state license before working with patients. The California Board of Occupational Therapy oversees both initial licensure and renewal requirements.

How much do COTAs make in California?

COTAs in California earn a median of about $81,770 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $65,680 for the lowest 10% to over $104,990 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire cotas in California?

Employers hiring cotas in California right now include HealthPRO Heritage, Riverview, LLP, and Ascend Rehab, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large integrated health systems, skilled nursing chains, and unified school districts are among the most consistent sources of cota openings in the state year-round.

Which California cities have the most cota jobs?

Cotati, Hayward, and Antioch have the most cota openings in California right now. Los Angeles leads due to the sheer concentration of hospital systems, school districts, and outpatient clinics, while San Diego and the Bay Area generate strong demand through their large integrated health networks and growing pediatric and geriatric outpatient sectors.

Are there remote cota jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Cota work is inherently hands-on and almost always requires in-person patient contact, so fully remote roles make up a small share of openings. About 0% of cota openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions are most often in supervision, case documentation review, or telehealth-adjacent coordination roles rather than direct clinical care.

How can I get hired as a cota in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying directly to new-grad positions at California's skilled nursing facilities and school districts, which regularly hire cotas without prior clinical experience beyond fieldwork hours. Large systems like Kaiser Permanente and regional school districts run structured new-graduate onboarding programs. Completing your California Board of Occupational Therapy licensure before applying and highlighting ACOTE-accredited fieldwork in pediatric or geriatric settings gives candidates a clear edge over those still awaiting licensure.

Where can I find and apply to cota jobs in California?

You can find and apply to cota jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across skilled nursing facilities, school districts, outpatient clinics, and hospital systems. Find roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to each employer through the listing.

See All 9 COTA Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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