Occupational therapy aides held about 7,900 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of occupational therapy aides were as follows:
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 47% |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 22 |
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 10 |
| Social assistance | 2 |
Occupational therapy assistants held about 43,800 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of occupational therapy assistants were as follows:
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 46% |
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 17 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 16 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 5 |
| Home healthcare services | 5 |
Occupational therapy assistants and aides spend much of their time on their feet while setting up equipment and, in the case of assistants, providing therapy to patients. Constant kneeling and stooping are part of the job, as is the occasional need to lift patients.
Injuries and Illnesses
Occupational therapy aides have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Their work may require physically demanding tasks, such as lifting patients, which can cause injuries.
Work Schedules
Most occupational therapy assistants and aides work full time. Occupational therapy assistants and aides may work during evenings or on weekends to accommodate patients’ schedules.
Occupational therapy assistants need an associate’s degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program. All states regulate the practice of occupational therapy assistants. Occupational therapy aides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and are trained on the job.
Education and Training
Occupational therapy assistants typically need an associate’s degree from an accredited program. Occupational therapy assistant programs are commonly found in community colleges and technical schools. In 2017, there were more than 200 occupational therapy assistant programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education , a part of the American Occupational Therapy Association .
These programs generally require 2 years of full-time study and include instruction in subjects such as psychology, biology, and pediatric health. In addition to taking coursework, occupational therapy assistants must complete at least 16 weeks of fieldwork to gain hands-on work experience.
People interested in becoming an occupational therapy assistant should take high school courses in biology and health education. They also can increase their chances of getting into a community college or technical school program by doing volunteer work in a healthcare setting, such as a nursing care facility, an occupational therapist’s office, or a physical therapist’s office.
Occupational therapy aides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. They are trained on the job under the supervision of more experienced assistants or aides. Training can last from several days to a few weeks and covers a number of topics, including the setting up of therapy equipment and infection control procedures, among others. Previous work experience in healthcare may be helpful in getting a job.
Both occupational therapy assistants and aides often need certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic life support (BLS).
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
All states regulate the practice of occupational therapy assistants, with most requiring licensure. Licensure typically requires the completion of an accredited occupational therapy assistant education program, completion of all fieldwork requirements, and passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. Some states have additional requirements.
Occupational therapy assistants must pass the NBCOT exam to use the title “Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant” (COTA). They must also take continuing education classes to maintain their certification.
The American Occupational Therapy Association also offers a number of specialty certifications for occupational therapy assistants who want to demonstrate their specialized level of knowledge, skills, and abilities in specialized areas of practice such as low vision or feeding, eating, and swallowing.
Occupational therapy aides are not regulated by state law.
Advancement
Some occupational therapy assistants and aides advance by gaining additional education and becoming occupational therapists. A small number of occupational therapist “bridge” education programs are designed to qualify occupational therapy assistants to advance and become therapists.
Occupational therapy assistants typically have an interest in the Building and Helping interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Helping interest area indicates a focus on assisting, serving, counseling, or teaching other people.
If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Helping interest which might fit with a career as an occupational therapy assistant, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Occupational therapy assistants should also possess the following specific qualities:
Compassion. Occupational therapy assistants and aides frequently work with patients who struggle with many of life’s basic activities. As a result, they should be compassionate and caring and have the ability to encourage others.
Detail oriented. Occupational therapy assistants and aides must be able to quickly and accurately follow the instructions, both written and spoken, of an occupational therapist.
Flexibility. Assistants must be flexible when treating patients. Because not every type of therapy will work for each patient, assistants may need to be creative when working with occupational therapists to determine the best type of therapy to use for achieving a patient’s goals.
Interpersonal skills. Occupational therapy assistants and aides spend much of their time interacting with patients. They should be friendly and courteous, and they should be able to communicate with patients to the extent of their ability and training.
Physical strength. Assistants and aides need to have a moderate degree of strength because of the physical exertion required to assist patients. Constant kneeling, stooping, and standing for long periods also are part of the job.
The median annual wage for occupational therapy aides was $29,230 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,960, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $62,120.
The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants was $61,510 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,730, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $82,210.
In May 2019, the median annual wages for occupational therapy aides in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | $36,140 |
| Social assistance | 35,960 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 31,630 |
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 23,520 |
In May 2019, the median annual wages for occupational therapy assistants in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | $66,750 |
| Home healthcare services | 65,560 |
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 61,860 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 57,600 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 52,460 |
Most occupational therapy assistants and aides work full time. Occupational therapy assistants and aides may work during evenings or on weekends to accommodate patients’ schedules.
Employment of occupational therapy assistants is projected to grow 33 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Employment of occupational therapy aides is projected to grow 19 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. However, because it is a small occupation, the fast growth will result in only about 1,500 new jobs over the 10-year period.
Occupational therapy assistants and aides will be needed to help therapists treat additional patients and to ensure that treatment facility operations run smoothly. However, demand for occupational therapy services is related to the ability of patients to pay, either directly or through health insurance.
Demand for occupational therapy is likely to grow over the coming decade in response to the health needs of the aging baby-boom generation and a growing elderly population. Older adults are more prone than younger people to conditions and ailments such as arthritis and stroke. These conditions can affect one’s ability to perform a variety of everyday activities. Occupational therapy assistants and aides will be needed to help occupational therapists in caring for these patients. Occupational therapy will also continue to be used to treat children and young adults with developmental disabilities, such as autism.
Healthcare providers, especially those specializing in long-term care such as nursing homes and home healthcare services, will continue to employ assistants to reduce the cost of occupational therapy services. After the therapist has evaluated a patient and designed a treatment plan, the occupational therapy assistant can provide many aspects of the treatment that the therapist prescribed.
Job Prospects
Occupational therapy assistants and aides with experience working in an occupational therapy office or other healthcare setting should have the best job opportunities. However, occupational therapy aides may face strong competition from the large pool of qualified people, because there are relatively few requirements to enter the occupation.
For more information about occupational therapy assistants or aides, visit
American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
For more information about certification for occupational therapy assistants, visit
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy