Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant or Aide Occupational therapy aides help patients with billing and insurance forms. 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.
Education
and
Training
Occupational therapy assistants typically need an associate’s degree from an accredited program, although some bachelor’s degree programs also are available. Associate’s degree programs generally require 2 years of full-time study and include coursework in subjects such as anatomy, psychology, and kinesiology. In addition to taking coursework, occupational therapy assistants must complete several months of fieldwork to gain hands-on work experience. Occupational therapy aides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. They are trained on the job under the supervision of experienced assistants or aides. Training may last several days or a few weeks and covers a number of topics, including therapy equipment setup and infection control procedures.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Occupational therapy assistants usually need a state-issued license. Licensure requires completing an accredited occupational therapy assistant education program, fieldwork, and passing an exam. Some states have additional requirements, such as a background check. Information on state licensing board requirements is available from CareerOneStop. Occupational therapy assistants must pass the exam to use the title “Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant” (COTA). They also need continuing education to maintain their certification. Other credentials for occupational therapy assistants are available. Optional certifications may demonstrate that an assistant has particular knowledge, skills, or abilities in a specialized area of practice, such as low vision. Occupational therapy aides typically are not regulated by state law. Both occupational therapy assistants and aides may need certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic life support (BLS). Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop. Advancement With additional education and licensure, occupational therapy aides may advance to become occupational therapy assistants or occupational therapists. Occupational therapy assistants may advance by gaining additional education and becoming occupational therapists.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook 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. About 8,600 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. Employment 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. Healthcare providers, especially those specializing in long-term care, will continue to employ occupational therapy assistants to reduce the cost of occupational therapy services. However, restrictions in insurance reimbursement for services provided by occupational therapy aides may constrain demand for this occupation. Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Occupational therapy assistants 21% Occupational therapy assistants and aides 20% Occupational therapy and physical therapist assistants and aides 18% Occupational therapy aides 4% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides Do
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.
Duties
Occupational therapy assistants typically do the following:
- Guide clients in therapeutic activities, such as exercises to improve motor skills and functional abilities
- Lead children who have disabilities in play activities that promote coordination, socialization, and meeting developmental milestones
- Teach clients new ways of accomplishing everyday tasks
- Instruct clients in the use of special equipment—for example, showing a client with Parkinson’s disease how to use adaptive devices to simplify meal preparation
- Record clients’ progress, report to occupational therapists, and do other administrative tasks
Occupational therapy aides typically do the following:
- Prepare treatment areas, such as by setting up therapy equipment
- Escort clients to and from treatment areas
- Clean treatment areas and equipment
- Help clients complete paperwork, such as forms for billing and insurance
- Do clerical tasks, including scheduling appointments and answering telephones
Occupational therapy assistants work with occupational therapists to help clients develop, improve, and maintain everyday skills. For example, they may teach clients to move from a bed into a wheelchair or to complete self-care activities, such as bathing and getting dressed.
In addition, an occupational therapy assistant might help injured clients return to the workforce by teaching them to compensate for lost motor skills. Occupational therapy assistants also may work with people who have disabilities, helping them learn socialization, money management, or other skills they need to be successful and independent at school, work, or home.
Occupational therapy assistants are part of an interdisciplinary team that includes occupational therapists and other healthcare specialists. These assistants help to coordinate client care by monitoring activities to make sure that clients do them correctly, recording client progress, and providing feedback. They also collaborate with occupational therapists so that the therapist can modify the client’s plan as needed.
Occupational therapy aides usually prepare materials and assemble equipment used during treatment. They may greet clients and assist clients in moving to and from treatment areas. They may take and record client vital signs prior to a therapy session. They may communicate patient status and symptoms to occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.
Occupational therapy aides also may assist an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant by retrieving or removing therapy equipment. After a therapy session, aides clean the treatment area and equipment, put away equipment, and gather laundry.
Occupational therapy aides may help clients complete insurance forms and other paperwork. They also are responsible for a range of clerical tasks, such as scheduling appointments, answering the telephone, and monitoring inventory.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Occupational therapy aides held about 4,400 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of occupational therapy aides were as follows:
| Offices of other health practitioners | 43% |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 30 |
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 7 |
Occupational therapy assistants held about 52,200 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of occupational therapy assistants were as follows:
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 39% |
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 19 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 17 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 7 |
| Home healthcare services | 7 |
Occupational therapy assistants and aides spend much of their time standing while setting up equipment and, in the case of assistants, providing therapy to clients. Constant kneeling and stooping are part of the job, as is the occasional need to lift clients.
Injuries and Illnesses
Occupational therapy aides have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Their work may require physically demanding tasks, which can cause injuries. Aides can limit some of their risks, such as protecting against back injury by using proper body mechanics and lifting techniques when moving clients.
Work Schedules
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.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Adaptability. Occupational therapy assistants must be flexible when treating clients. Because not every type of therapy helps clients achieve their goals, assistants may need to work creatively with occupational therapists in their approach. Compassion. Occupational therapy assistants and aides frequently help clients who feel frustrated by their challenges. Assistants and aides should be encouraging and empathetic in working with these clients. Detail oriented. Occupational therapy assistants and aides must be precise in following the occupational therapist’s instructions, both written and spoken. They also must be attentive in recording client progress or completing paperwork. Interpersonal skills. Occupational therapy assistants and aides should be friendly and courteous in their interactions with clients. They also must be professional and able to work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team. Physical stamina. Occupational assistants and aides spend long periods of time standing. Frequent kneeling and stooping also are part of the job. Physical strength. Occupational assistants and aides must be moderately strong to do tasks requiring physical exertion, such as lifting and moving clients.
More Information
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.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.