All careersHealthcare

Occupational Therapy Assistant

$72,300
median pay per year
full range coming in the next data update

What the job actually is

Carry out occupational therapy plans, helping patients practice daily-living and work skills.

Where you work

Clinics, schools, and nursing homes; hands-on, active, on your feet.

The hours

Full-time and part-time; some evenings and weekends.

By the numbers

May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.

Median pay
$72,300
per year
What most earn
range coming soon
Openings a year
~7,200
projected, 2024–34
Outlook to 2034
+19%
Much faster than average
Working in the U.S.
coming soon

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.

How you get in

Typical starting education

Associate degree

Training path: Associate degree + license.

License or certification

Most states require a license after an accredited associate program and exam.

What it takes

CompassionPatienceCommunicationPhysical stamina

The honest take

OT's 2-year sibling — same growth story as PTA.

Standard Occupational Classification 31-2011. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.