Occupational Therapy Assistants
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 called: Acute Care Occupational Therapy Assistant (Acute Care OT Assistant), Certified Occupational Assistant, Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Certified Travel OTA (Certified Travel Occupational Therapist Assistant), Home Health COTA (Home Health Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant)
Median pay
$72,300
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$51,490 – $89,780
People employed
51,290
Holland code
SCR
Social · Conventional · Realistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 2.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 3.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 4.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 5.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 6.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 7.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
The hard parts
- Exposure to disease or infection
- Tight deadlines are common
- Long hours on your feet
Occupational Therapy Assistants pay by state
Annual median pay by state (49 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What occupational therapy assistants do
- 01Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
- 02Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.
- 03Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.
- 04Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
- 05Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
- 06Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Therapy and Counseling
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from occupational therapy assistants
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses88% · −11%
- Acute Care Nurses81% · group pay
- Respiratory Therapists81% · +14%
- Registered Nurses79% · +35%
- Adapted Physical Education Specialists77% · group pay
Change into occupational therapy assistants
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Psychiatric Technicians92% · $45,130
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistants91% · $48,430
- Psychiatric Aides88% · $44,910
- Recreational Therapists87% · $61,960
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses85% · $64,400
Majors that lead here
- Occupational Therapist Assistant
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.