Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational therapy assistants and aides help occupational therapists provide treatments and procedures to clients, or they do routine tasks such as preparing treatment rooms.
Is occupational therapy assistants a good career?
It scores 41/100 and ranks #60 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays above the U.S. median wage ($72,300)
- Faster-than-average projected growth (+19.2% through 2034)
Possible tradeoffs
- No notable tradeoffs stand out in the wage and projection data.
What occupational therapy assistants earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. occupational therapy assistants earn between $61,710 and $79,160 a year.
Best-paying states
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Strongest employment concentration
Live occupational therapy assistants jobs
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- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow much faster than average through 2034.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Occupational therapy assistants usually need a state-issued license. Licensure requires completing an accredited occupational therapy assistant education program, fieldwork, and passing an exam. Some states have additional requirements, such as a background check.
Occupational therapy assistants must pass the exam to use the title “Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant” (COTA). They also need continuing education to maintain their certification.
Other credentials for occupational therapy assistants are available. Optional certifications may demonstrate that an assistant has particular knowledge, skills, or abilities in a specialized area of practice, such as low vision.
Occupational therapy aides typically are not regulated by state law.
Both occupational therapy assistants and aides may need certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic life support (BLS).
Advancement
With additional education and licensure, occupational therapy aides may advance to become occupational therapy assistants or occupational therapists. Occupational therapy assistants may advance by gaining additional education and becoming occupational therapists.
Important qualities
Adaptability. Occupational therapy assistants must be flexible when treating clients. Because not every type of therapy helps clients achieve their goals, assistants may need to work creatively with occupational therapists in their approach.
Compassion. Occupational therapy assistants and aides frequently help clients who feel frustrated by their challenges. Assistants and aides should be encouraging and empathetic in working with these clients.
Detail oriented. Occupational therapy assistants and aides must be precise in following the occupational therapist’s instructions, both written and spoken. They also must be attentive in recording client progress or completing paperwork.
Interpersonal skills. Occupational therapy assistants and aides should be friendly and courteous in their interactions with clients. They also must be professional and able to work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Physical stamina. Occupational assistants and aides spend long periods of time standing. Frequent kneeling and stooping also are part of the job.
Physical strength. Occupational assistants and aides must be moderately strong to do tasks requiring physical exertion, such as lifting and moving clients.
Related occupations
How much do occupational therapy assistants make?
The national median wage is $72,300 a year, with the middle half earning between $61,710 and $79,160 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is occupational therapy assistants a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 41 of 100 and ranks #60 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +19.2% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a occupational therapy assistant?
The typical entry-level education is associate's degree.
Where do occupational therapy assistants earn the most?
Among states, Maryland pays the highest median ($82,010). Local pay for every state and metro is below.