Carry out occupational therapy plans, helping patients practice daily-living and work skills.
You may also see this posted as: Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (LOTA), Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), Acute Care Occupational Therapy Assistant (Acute Care OT Assistant), Certified Occupational Assistant.
Clinics, schools, and nursing homes; hands-on, active, on your feet.
Full-time and part-time; some evenings and weekends.
Social
helping, teaching, caring for, or supporting other people
Conventional
organizing information, following systems, and getting details right
Realistic
working with tools, equipment, materials, or the physical world
O*NET job zone 3 of 5
Medium preparation—often vocational training, an associate degree, or substantial experience—is usually needed.
Examples employers report—not a checklist you must already know.
May 2025 BLS wage & employment data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.
Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.
“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.
Statewide medians are a better starting point than the national number. Your city and experience still matter.
Associate degree
Training path: Associate degree + license.
Related work experience: None.
On-the-job training: None.
Most states require a license after an accredited associate program and exam.
Licensing rules and available programs change by state. These federal tools take you to the current official listings.
OT's 2-year sibling — same growth story as PTA.
Run the Reality Check — build the life you want and see the salary it takes, then compare it to this one.
Browse verified internships, fellowships, and programs — many paid — that lead into fields like this.
Free resume templates, interview practice, and getting-hired guides in the Careers kit.
Standard Occupational Classification 31-2011. Pay and employment from the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey; outlook and openings from the 2024–34 employment projections; job context from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; tasks, interests, work styles, software examples, and job zone from O*NET 30.3. See something off? Tell us.