Healthcare support
Occupational therapy assistant
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.
Median pay
$72,300
Growth to 2035
+22%
much faster than average
Openings a year
8,100
Time to qualify*
2 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Occupational therapy assistant
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Associate's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Exposure to disease
Occupational therapy assistant: 15% usually work over 40 hours a week
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.
Also called: Acute Care Occupational Therapy Assistant (Acute Care OT Assistant) · Certified Occupational Assistant · Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) · Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) · Licensed Occupational Therapist Assistant (LOTA) · Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (LOTA) · Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA) · Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
Outlook and AI
Occupational therapy assistants held 52,200 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 63,400 by 2035 (+22%, much faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Occupational therapy assistant vs. Occupational therapy aide
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- Occupational therapy assistant vs. Physical therapist aide
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- Occupational therapy assistant vs. Medical assistant
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