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Occupational Therapy Assistants

Typical education: Associate degreeHigh pressure Bright Outlook

What they 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.

Kinds of work

  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $72,300 Median per year · $34.76/hr Most earn $51,490–$89,780

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
  • Attend continuing education classes.
  • Communicate and collaborate with other healthcare professionals involved with the care of a patient.
  • Teach patients how to deal constructively with their emotions.
  • Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling appointments, collecting data, or documenting health insurance billings.
  • Assemble, clean, or maintain equipment or materials for patient use.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
22% more jobs by 2035, much faster than average · about 8,100 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists39.1%
  • Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities)18.8%
  • General medical and surgical hospitals11.7%
  • Home healthcare services6.9%
  • Elementary and secondary schools5.6%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Associate degreeExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Occupational Therapy Assistant is not a job you can start straight out of high school. Most people earn a two-year associate degree, then get certified and licensed, and many also gain 6 months to 1 year of hands-on experience along the way.

  1. High school diploma plus science classes

    4 years

    Build a strong foundation in biology, anatomy, psychology, and math, which are the subjects you'll use in OTA programs and in patient care.

  2. Associate degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant

    2 years

    A formal OTA program teaches treatment techniques, anatomy, and supervised fieldwork, and it's the training that qualifies you to sit for certification.

  3. Occupational Therapy Aide

    6 months to 1 year

    Working as an aide under OT staff gives you hands-on experience with patients and activity programs, which is the kind of experience employers often look for.

  4. Occupational Therapy Assistant

    Ongoing career

    After passing the national certification exam and getting any state license required, you work under occupational therapists to deliver treatment, carry out care plans, and document patient progress.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Occupational Therapy Assistant

    Several years as an OTA of experience first

    You take on more responsibility, such as training new assistants, coordinating activity programs, and helping supervise daily caseload.

  2. Occupational Therapist

    Several years as an OTA, plus a graduate degree of experience first

    Becoming an OT means completing a graduate program and licensing, which lets you evaluate patients and lead treatment plans rather than carrying them out under supervision.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, anatomy and physiology, and psychologyThese classes build the science background you'll need for an OTA associate degree.
  • Volunteer at a nursing home, rehab center, or hospitalWorking with people who have physical or cognitive challenges shows whether you enjoy hands-on patient support.
  • Get a starter job helping others, like a camp counselor or a daycare aideActivity-based work builds the patience and planning skills OTAs use every day.
  • Join a health occupations or HOSA club if your school has oneClubs like this introduce you to health careers and often offer leadership and skills practice.
  • Talk to an OTA or OT about their jobA short conversation or job shadow helps you learn what daily work actually involves.

In college

  • Take prerequisites for OTA programsCourses like anatomy, physiology, psychology, and medical terminology are commonly required and make your application stronger.
  • Work or volunteer as an aide in a rehab or therapy settingHands-on experience counts toward the 6 months to 1 year of related work that employers often expect.
  • Pursue an Associate degree in OTA or a pre-OTA trackChoosing an accredited OTA program puts you on the direct path to certification and licensing.
  • Join a student health or pre-health organizationThese groups offer networking, guest speakers, and community service that help you learn about therapy careers.
  • Build communication and documentation skillsWriting clear progress notes and explaining activities to patients are central to the job, so practice them in class projects and jobs.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a local occupational therapy clinic whether you can volunteer or shadow staff. Hands-on exposure helps you learn if the work fits you and looks good on applications.
  • Look up accredited OTA programs in your area early, since admission requirements and prerequisite classes differ from school to school.
  • Keep a simple log of your volunteer and work hours with patients. Strong documentation habits are useful both in school and on the job.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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