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Occupational Therapy Assistant

Operational-level

Also known as: Acute Care Occupational Therapy Assistant (Acute Care OT Assistant), Certified Occupational Assistant, Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Medical & WelfareBachelor's Degree

Job Description

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 TherapyRehabilitationPatient CareTherapeutic ActivitiesAllied HealthHealthcareMedical Support

A Day in the Life

You swipe your badge and step into the bustling outpatient rehabilitation clinic. The scent of antiseptic and the hum of activity are familiar. You head straight for the shared workstation, logging into the electronic health record (EHR) system to review your first patient's chart – a post-stroke individual focusing on fine motor skills. You quickly grab a printout of today's schedule, noting the variety of ages and conditions you'll be assisting with. The morning will be packed, and preparation is key to staying on track.

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies
FacebookMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordeClinicalWorks EHR software

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Bright Outlook

O*NET flags this career as a Bright Outlook occupation: grows rapidly over the next decade.

Projected growth

+21.5%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

8,100

per year (US)

Jobs today

52,200

in 2025 → 63,400 (2035)

Typical entry education

Associate's degree

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication
Moderate
Working in a team
High
Contact with others
High
Freedom to make decisions
High
Time pressure
High
Time spent sitting
Low
Working outdoors
Low
Indoor, climate-controlled
High
Dealing with customers
Moderate
Level of competition
Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Growing Job Market

The outlook for Occupational Therapy Assistants is very positive, with rapid growth projected. There will be about 8,100 job openings each year through 2035, and the median annual wage is $72,300. With experience, you can advance to become a full Occupational Therapist or specialize in a particular area of patient care.

Career ladder

Often before this role

  • Nursing Assistant
  • Medical Assistant
  • Rehabilitation Aide

Where it can lead

  • Occupational Therapist
  • Healthcare Coordinator
  • Patient Care Manager

Impact of AI on this Job

AI is expected to streamline administrative tasks, assist with data analysis for personalized treatment plans, and potentially offer remote monitoring solutions for Occupational Therapy Assistants. However, the hands-on care, empathy, and nuanced client interaction fundamental to this role will remain largely human-driven, requiring assistants to adapt to new technologies rather than be replaced.

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Salary

$72,300

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position

Relevant Studies

Based on job level & field

Occupational Therapy/Therapist

Bachelor • Healthcare & Life Sciences • 4 years

Medical/Clinical Assistant

Bachelor • Healthcare & Life Sciences • 4 years

Physical Therapy Technician/Aide

Bachelor • Healthcare & Life Sciences • 4 years

Medical Assistance

Vocational • Healthcare & Life Sciences • 2 years

Healthcare Assistance

Vocational • Healthcare & Life Sciences • 1 year

Executive Assistant

Vocational • Business & Economics • 1 year

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