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.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
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
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 receive training on the job. PayThe median annual wage for occupational therapy aides was $39,160 in May 2025.The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants was $72,300 in May 2025. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for occupational therapy assistants and aides. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of occupational therapy assistants and aides with similar occupations. 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.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for occupational therapy aides was $39,160 in May 2025.The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants was $72,300 in May 2025. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for occupational therapy assistants and aides. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of occupational therapy assistants and aides with similar occupations. 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.
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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for occupational therapy assistants and aides. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of occupational therapy assistants and aides with similar occupations. 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.
What They Do
Occupational therapy assistants and aides help occupational therapists provide treatments and procedures to clients, or they do routine tasks such as preparing treatment rooms.
Work Environment
Occupational therapy assistants and aides work primarily in occupational therapists’ offices, in hospitals, and in nursing care facilities. 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.
How to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant or Aide
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 receive training on the job.
Pay
The median annual wage for occupational therapy aides was $39,160 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants was $72,300 in May 2025.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for occupational therapy assistants and aides.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of occupational therapy assistants and aides with similar occupations.
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.
Work Environment
Occupational therapy assistants and aides work primarily in occupational therapists’ offices, in hospitals, and in nursing care facilities. 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.
How to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant or Aide
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 receive training on the job.
Pay
The median annual wage for occupational therapy aides was $39,160 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants was $72,300 in May 2025.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for occupational therapy assistants and aides.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of occupational therapy assistants and aides with similar occupations.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for occupational therapy assistants and aides.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of occupational therapy assistants and aides with similar occupations.
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.
More Information
Learn more about occupational therapy assistants and aides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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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.