The median pay for Occupational Therapy Assistants is $72,300 a year ($34.76/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 21.5% through 2035, with about 8,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
- SOC 31-2011
- Healthcare Support
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Occupational Therapy Assistant in four numbers
- Median pay
- $72,300a year, or $34.76/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $51KTop 10% $90K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +21.5%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+21.5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +21.5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 8,10052,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202552.2K
- Projected 203563.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 52.2K Projected 2035 63.4K - Typical education
- Associate'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Some college5.1%
- Associate's91.7%
- Bachelor's2.7%
- Post-bacc certificate0.5%
Highest education held by occupational therapy assistants Segment Value Some college 5.1% Associate's 91.7% Bachelor's 2.7% Post-bacc certificate 0.5%
Also advertised as: 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).
Pay
How much do Occupational Therapy Assistants make?
Every occupational therapy assistant in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$72,300
Middle half earn $61,710 to $79,160
- 10th
- $51,490
- 25th
- $61,710
- 75th
- $79,160
- 90th
- $89,780
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $51,490 |
| 25th | $61,710 |
| Median | $72,300 |
| 75th | $79,160 |
| 90th | $89,780 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $72,300
- Median hourly wage
- $34.76/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $70,710
- People employed
- 51,290
Versus all US occupations
At $72,300, Occupational Therapy Assistants earn 42% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $21,320 a year.
Versus healthcare support occupations
Inside the Healthcare Support group, where the middle occupation pays $42,260, this is 71% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $89,780 or more while the bottom 10% earn $51,490, a gap of 1.7×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 46% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Maryland posts the highest raw median ($82,010), but once local prices are taken into account Arkansas leads at $90,801 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Occupational Therapy Assistants the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Maryland | $82,010 | $78,135 | 710 |
| 2California | $81,770 | $73,853 | 3,840 |
| 3Texas | $81,500 | $83,971 | 5,610 |
| 4Nevada | $79,510 | $79,527 | 220 |
| 5Arkansas | $78,940 | $90,801 | 730 |
| 6Delaware | $78,640 | $78,791 | 220 |
| 7Washington | $77,590 | $72,505 | 720 |
| 8New Mexico | $77,020 | $83,525 | 300 |
| 9Oregon | $76,850 | $74,351 | 250 |
| 10Georgia | $75,920 | $78,843 | 1,060 |
Job outlook
Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +21.5% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | +21.5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Occupational Therapy Assistants to change 21.5% over 2025–2035, roughly 6.1× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 11,200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 8,100 openings are projected each year, 15.5% of the 52,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of occupational therapy assistants and aides is projected to grow 20 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
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.
Demand for occupational therapy is likely to grow over the decade in response to the healthcare needs of an aging population.
Older adults are more prone than young people to conditions and ailments, such as arthritis and strokes, that may affect the ability to do everyday activities. Occupational therapy assistants and aides will be needed to help occupational therapists in caring for these patients.
Getting in
How to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupational therapy assistants typically need an associate’s degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program. Occupational therapy assistants usually need a state-issued license. Occupational therapy aides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and are trained on the job.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Associate's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as occupational therapy assistants.
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree91.7%
- Some College Courses5.1%
- Bachelor's Degree2.7%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate0.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 91.7% |
| Some College Courses | 5.1% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 2.7% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 0.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Occupational Therapy Assistant do?
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.
Occupational therapy assistants help occupational therapists provide treatments and procedures to clients. Occupational therapy aides do select or routine tasks, such as preparing treatment rooms, under the direction of occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants.
Day-to-day tasks
- 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.
- 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.
- Aid patients in dressing and grooming themselves.
- Communicate and collaborate with other healthcare professionals involved with the care of a patient.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most occupational therapy assistants and aides work full time, but part-time work is common. Their schedules may include work in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate clients’ schedules.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where occupational therapy assistants work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Offices of other health practitioners43%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private30%
- Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities)7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Offices of other health practitioners | 43% |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 30% |
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 7% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.9
- Speaking3.9
- Reading Comprehension3.6
- Critical Thinking3.4
- Monitoring3.4
- Writing3.3
- Active Learning3.3
- Learning Strategies3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Speaking | 3.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.6 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.4 |
| Monitoring | 3.4 |
| Writing | 3.3 |
| Active Learning | 3.3 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness3.9
- Service Orientation3.9
- Time Management3.5
- Instructing3.3
- Coordination3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Systems Analysis3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.9 |
| Service Orientation | 3.9 |
| Time Management | 3.5 |
| Instructing | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Accounting software
- Action games
- Billing and invoicing software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Occupational Therapy Assistant |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 6 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Social6.1
- Conventional4.2
- Realistic3.5
- Investigative3.5
- Artistic2.1
- Enterprising1.1
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Occupational Therapy Assistant
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More healthcare support careers
Median annual pay, with occupational therapy assistants highlighted
- Occupational Therapy Assistant$72,300
- Physical Therapist Assistant$68,380
- Massage Therapist$58,450
- Dental Assistant$48,070
- Medical Assistant$45,690
- Phlebotomist$45,230
- Nursing Assistant$42,260
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker$38,150
- Home Health Aide$35,800
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $72,300 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $68,380 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,450 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,070 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,260 |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $38,150 |
| Home Health Aide | $35,800 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Occupational Therapy Assistant appears on
Questions
Occupational Therapy Assistant: frequently asked questions
How much do Occupational Therapy Assistants make?
Occupational Therapy Assistants earn a median of $72,300 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 42% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $34.76/hr. The middle half earn between $61,710 and $79,160. The top 10% earn $89,780 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Occupational Therapy Assistants. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 91.7% hold associate's degree or other 2-year degree.
Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 21.5% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 8,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Occupational Therapy Assistant do?
Occupational therapy assistants help occupational therapists provide treatments and procedures to clients. A core O*NET task: maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software, Medical software.
Which states pay Occupational Therapy Assistants the most?
The highest state medians for Occupational Therapy Assistants are Maryland ($82,010), California ($81,770), Texas ($81,500) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Arkansas moves to the top at $90,801.
What personality type suits an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
O*NET scores Occupational Therapy Assistants highest on the Social, Conventional and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISFJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.