Occupational Therapy Assistant is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country, projected to grow +19.2% through 2034. Median pay sits at $72,300 nationally, a strong return for the training investment.
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.
Also known as:
Occupational Therapy Assistant earn $72,300 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,710 and $79,160. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Above the national median for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Occupational Therapy Assistant roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
The BLS projects +19.2% employment change for Occupational Therapy Assistant through 2034, well above the national average of +5%. About 7,200 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
Much faster than average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Occupational Therapy Assistant professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $72,300 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 5,660 | $77,910 | +7.8% |
| 2 | Florida | 3,580 | $71,800 | -0.7% |
| 3 | California | 3,290 | $79,420 | +9.8% |
| 4 | Ohio | 3,150 | $62,960 | -12.9% |
| 5 | New York | 2,760 | $64,660 | -10.6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Occupational Therapy Assistant positions require a associate's degree to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medical Assisting | 79,189 | $68,559 | 1,600 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victor Valley College Victorville, CA | 90 | $1,947 | $36,119 |
| 2 | Turtle Mountain College Belcourt, ND | 88 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| 3 | Pima Medical Institute-Tucson Tucson, AZ | 88 | — | $38,673 |
| 4 | Martinsburg College Cheyenne, WY | 87 | $11,956 | — |
| 5 | South Georgia Technical College Americus, GA | 86 | $1,164 | $30,364 |
| 6 | Institute of Medical Careers Pittsburgh, PA | 86 | $21,392 | — |
Once you've sized up Occupational Therapy Assistant, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Occupational Therapy Assistant pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Strong earnings and growing demand make Occupational Therapy Assistant a compelling path. The 3 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
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