Summary
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Quick Facts: Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides | |
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$61,520 per year
$29.58 per hour |
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See How to Become One | |
None | |
See How to Become One | |
47,000 | |
25% (Much faster than average) | |
11,500 |
What Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides Do
Occupational therapy assistants and aides help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working.
Work Environment
Occupational therapy assistants and aides work primarily in occupational therapists’ offices, in hospitals, and in nursing care facilities. 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.
How to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant or Aide
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 receive training on the job.
Pay
The median annual wage for occupational therapy aides was $33,560 in May 2021.
The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants was $61,730 in May 2021.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of occupational therapy assistants and aides is projected to grow 25 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 9,300 openings for occupational therapy assistants and aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for occupational therapy assistants and aides.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of occupational therapy assistants and aides with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about occupational therapy assistants and aides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.