Under close supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing patient and treatment room.
Occupational Therapy Aides
SOC: 31-2012 O*NET: 31-2012.00
Median Salary
$37,370
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.5%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Under close supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing patient and treatment room.
What does a Occupational Therapy Aides do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$27,970
10th percentile
Early Career
$34,840
25th percentile
Median
$37,370
50th percentile
Experienced
$44,190
75th percentile
Top Earners
$65,580
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$27,970
25th
$34,840
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$37,370
Mean: $41,850
75th
$44,190
90th
$65,580
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $37,610 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $34,840 and $44,190
- •Salary spread is 25.0% around the median, showing low variation
- •Total national employment: 5,000 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:5,200
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services56%
Offices of Other Health Practitioners46.8%
Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists46.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.5%
Annual Openings:600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)5,200
Current
2034 (Projected)5,300
+2.5%
+100
Employment Change
+2.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Occupational Therapy Aides professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 27 locations
California
560 jobs$38,4000.96x
Pennsylvania
450 jobs$36,1402.31x
Texas
330 jobs$37,1600.73x
Massachusetts
260 jobs$38,6902.22x
New York
230 jobs$42,1200.73x
Ohio
210 jobs$36,2801.15x
Louisiana
210 jobs$30,0403.45x
North Carolina
200 jobs$73,4501.24x
Missouri
140 jobs$38,3801.50x
Georgia
130 jobs$37,5500.80x
South Carolina
130 jobs$34,0801.77x
Wisconsin
110 jobs$40,2701.17x
Idaho
90 jobs$24,6603.27x
Tennessee
80 jobs$27,1100.78x
New Mexico
70 jobs$67,8902.51x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Service Orientation
100%
#2
Social Perceptiveness
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Coordination
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Monitoring
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Writing
46%
#10
Reading Comprehension
40%
Skills Overview
Service Orientation
advanced5.0
100%
Social Perceptiveness
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Coordination
intermediate3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Monitoring
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Service Orientation
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Writing
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Physician Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Audio and Video Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Freight Forwarders82%
5 shared skills
Child, Family, and School Social Workers82%
5 shared skills
Counter and Rental Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Critical Thinking
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Occupational Therapy Aides
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
15
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (7)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Management & Supervision (2)Planning & Development (2)Training & Development (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Encourage patients and attend to their physical needs to facilitate the attainment of therapeutic goals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Report to supervisors or therapists, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, attendance, and accomplishments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Observe patients' attendance, progress, attitudes, and accomplishments and record and maintain information in client records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Manage intradepartmental infection control and equipment security.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision91% perform94%
5
Evaluate the living skills and capacities of clients with physical, developmental, or mental health disabilities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Prepare and maintain work area, materials, and equipment and maintain inventory of treatment and educational supplies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Instruct patients and families in work, social, and living skills, the care and use of adaptive equipment, and other skills to facilitate home and work adjustment to disability.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development82% perform88%
8
Supervise patients in choosing and completing work assignments or arts and crafts projects.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision79% perform86%
9
Assist occupational therapists in planning, implementing, and administering therapy programs to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance, using selected activities and special equipment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Perform clerical, administrative, and secretarial duties, such as answering phones, restocking and ordering supplies, filling out paperwork, and scheduling appointments.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •47% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Occupational Therapy Aides
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Occupational Therapy Aides professionals typically have a SRC Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Occupational Therapy Aides
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.74
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.67
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.56
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.43
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.42
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.40
Complete Work Styles Profile
Cooperation
4.7
Concern for Others
4.7
Dependability
4.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Integrity
4.4
Self-Control
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Social Orientation
4.3
Initiative
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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