Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational therapy assistants work under the supervision of occupational therapists to help people regain or develop skills for daily living and work. They carry out treatment procedures, lead activity programs, and track patient progress. Assistants work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, mental health facilities, and clients' homes.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against occupational therapy assistants and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves assisting patients with therapeutic exercises and activities designed to improve their physical or mental functioning. Assistants might help someone regain strength after an injury, support a child's development of fine motor skills, or facilitate group activities in a care setting. They document patient responses and progress, communicate with the occupational therapist about treatment outcomes, and help maintain equipment and treatment spaces.
Who this work suits
Holland code SCR. Social work is helping, teaching and working closely with people. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You tend to do well in this work if you enjoy helping others and find satisfaction in structured, rule-based environments. You're organized, detail-oriented about paperwork and procedures, and genuinely interested in supporting people's recovery and independence.
What it takes
Preparation: Medium preparation (vocational training, an associate degree, or related experience). Most people in this occupation hold an associate degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Occupational Therapy Assistant · Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Fort Meade, Maryland · $57736–$75059
- Occupational Therapy Assistant · Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Fort Bragg, North Carolina · $52693–$68502
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $72,590 | $82,010 | $88,710 | 710 |
| California | $76,350 | $81,770 | $96,720 | 3,840 |
| Texas | $75,250 | $81,500 | $89,780 | 5,610 |
| Nevada | $73,580 | $79,510 | $81,160 | 220 |
| Arkansas | $65,760 | $78,940 | $85,020 | 730 |
| Delaware | $67,950 | $78,640 | $82,010 | 220 |
| Washington | $70,970 | $77,590 | $81,890 | 720 |
| New Mexico | $58,870 | $77,020 | $82,160 | 300 |
| Oregon | $71,490 | $76,850 | $80,880 | 250 |
| Georgia | $63,050 | $75,920 | $79,010 | 1,060 |
| Colorado | $65,320 | $75,340 | $84,860 | 710 |
| Massachusetts | $58,870 | $75,040 | $79,510 | 1,410 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) — National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.
- Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) — National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.
- Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy (COMT) — International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine - US
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against occupational therapy assistants and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 31-2011.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.