How much does a occupational therapy assistant make?

The median pay is $34.76 per hour — roughly $72,500 a year, with the real range running from about $24.76/hr (10th percentile) to $43.16/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a occupational therapy assistant?

The typical entry-level education is: Associate degree. Overall preparation level: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).

What does a occupational therapy assistant actually do all day?

Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment. 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.

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Occupational Therapy Assistants

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.

What it pays
Occupational Therapy Assistants earn a median of $34.76/hr — about $72,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $24.76/hr; the top 10% earn $43.16/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
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.
Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Associate degree. Overall preparation: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).

The feel of the work

You're around people constantly; time pressure is a real part of the job; it rewards working independently. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 0% of occupational therapy assistants are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are people-focused, organized and detail-focused and hands-on.

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Quick questions

How much does a occupational therapy assistant make?: The median pay is $34.76 per hour — roughly $72,500 a year, with the real range running from about $24.76/hr (10th percentile) to $43.16/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a occupational therapy assistant?: The typical entry-level education is: Associate degree. Overall preparation level: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).
What does a occupational therapy assistant actually do all day?: Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment. 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.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

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