Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides
Overview
Introduction
Occupational therapy assistants (also called OTAs) help people with mental, physical, developmental, or emotional limitations using a variety of activities to improve basic motor functions and reasoning abilities. They work under the direct supervision of an occupational therapist, and their duties include helping to plan, implement, and evaluate rehabilitation programs designed to regain patients self-sufficiency and to restore their physical and mental functions. There are 47,500 occupational therapy assistants employed in the Uni...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median yearly income of occupational therapy assistants was $67,010 in 2023. Salaries ranged from less than $48,670 to $89,230 or more annually. Naturally, experience, location, and type of employer all factor into the salaries paid.
The importance of education, though, cannot be overlooked, as assistants tend to earn more than aides. Median...
Work Environment
Most occupational therapy assistants and aides work full time during the day, although depending on the place of employment, some evening or weekend work may be required. Most therapy is done in a hospital or clinic setting that is clean, well lighted, and generally comfortable.
Occupational therapy assistants often use everyday items, settings, and activities to help rehabilitate their ...
Outlook
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment for occupational therapy assistants will grow by 22 percent, much faster than the average, through 2033. Occupational therapy aides will see average employment growth (4 percent) in that same time frame. However, only a small number of new jobs will actually be available due to the size of these occupations. Occupational growth...