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.
Occupational Therapy Assistants
SOC: 31-2011 O*NET: 31-2011.00
Median Salary
$68,340
per year
Job Growth
🚀 19.2%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
7.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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 does a Occupational Therapy Assistants do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$49,070
10th percentile
Early Career
$59,950
25th percentile
Median
$68,340
50th percentile
Experienced
$77,340
75th percentile
Top Earners
$86,930
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$49,070
25th
$59,950
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$68,340
Mean: $68,540
75th
$77,340
90th
$86,930
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $37,860 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $59,950 and $77,340
- •Salary spread is 25.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 47,910 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Very High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:49,200
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services50.2%
Offices of Other Health Practitioners41.5%
Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists40.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+19.2%
Annual Openings:7,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)49,200
Current
2034 (Projected)58,700
+19.2%
+9,500
Employment Change
+19.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Much faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Occupational Therapy Assistants professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
5,660 jobs$77,9101.31x
Florida
3,580 jobs$71,8001.17x
California
3,290 jobs$79,4200.59x
Ohio
3,150 jobs$62,9601.83x
New York
2,760 jobs$64,6600.93x
Illinois
2,230 jobs$63,7101.18x
Pennsylvania
2,010 jobs$61,4301.08x
North Carolina
1,620 jobs$70,9401.07x
Massachusetts
1,540 jobs$72,7501.36x
Tennessee
1,430 jobs$62,0601.41x
Indiana
1,280 jobs$61,3901.29x
Virginia
1,260 jobs$73,8701.00x
Georgia
1,220 jobs$66,0900.81x
Wisconsin
1,140 jobs$58,4001.25x
Michigan
1,130 jobs$61,4600.83x
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
- •Much faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Service Orientation
86%
#4
Social Perceptiveness
80%
#5
Reading Comprehension
74%
#6
Time Management
66%
#7
Critical Thinking
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Writing
46%
#10
Learning Strategies
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.3
86%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.0
80%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Time Management
intermediate3.3
66%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.7
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:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Writing
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Learning Strategies
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
File Clerks90%
5 shared skills
Animal Control Workers82%
5 shared skills
Counter and Rental Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Learn on the Job:
- →Time Management
- →Monitoring
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Reading Comprehension
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 Assistants
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TecheClinicalWorks EHR software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 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
eClinicalWorks EHR software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
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
CONSTANT 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 constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Operations & Execution (2)General Responsibilities (9)Training & Development (2)Planning & Development (4)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution94% perform96%
4
Select therapy activities to fit patients' needs and capabilities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development88% perform92%
6
Evaluate the daily living skills or capacities of clients with physical, developmental, or mental health disabilities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Aid patients in dressing and grooming themselves.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Alter treatment programs to obtain better results if treatment is not having the intended effect.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •33% 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 Assistants
💡 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 Assistants professionals typically have a SCR Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
CConventional
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Occupational Therapy Assistants
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.80
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.77
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.66
Adaptability/Flexibility
CriticalAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.65
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.63
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.61
Complete Work Styles Profile
Concern for Others
4.8
Integrity
4.8
Cooperation
4.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.6
Dependability
4.6
Social Orientation
4.5
Independence
4.5
Self-Control
4.5
Initiative
4.5
💡 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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