Occupational Therapy Assistants

Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $72,300/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$51,490$89,780

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +19.2% projected growth, 2024–2034 — much faster than average.

About 7,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills

Social PerceptivenessSpeakingService OrientationActive ListeningReading ComprehensionTime ManagementCritical ThinkingMonitoringLearning StrategiesActive Learning

Top knowledge areas

Customer and Personal ServicePsychologyEducation and TrainingEnglish LanguageTherapy and CounselingPublic Safety and SecuritySociology and AnthropologyAdministrative

Core tasks

• Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.

• Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.

• Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.

• Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.

• Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.

• Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.

• Select therapy activities to fit patients' needs and capabilities.

• Attend continuing education classes.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Occupational Therapy Assistants?

The median pay for Occupational Therapy Assistants is $72,300 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Occupational Therapy Assistants?

Employment for Occupational Therapy Assistants is projected to change +19.2% from 2024 to 2034 - much faster than average.

What education is typically required for Occupational Therapy Assistants?

Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.

How many job openings are there each year for Occupational Therapy Assistants?

About 7,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.