Occupational Therapy Assistants: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

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Occupational Therapy Assistants

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.

Salary
$63420
Becoming One
Medium
Education
Associate's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality



Job description

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.

  • Select therapy activities to fit patients’ needs and capabilities.
  • Monitor patients’ performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
  • Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
  • Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.
Read more about what does an Occupational Therapy Assistant really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$60410 per year

Average hourly wage
$29 per hour


Occupational Therapy Assistants with little to no experience tend to make between $39620 and $50510 while the more experienced ones can earn over $71820 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
TX $36 $74,650
NJ $33 $69,530
NV $33 $68,200
CA $32 $67,470
VA $32 $66,240

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as an Occupational Therapy Assistant is to move to a higher paying state like TX. Right now, the highest paying states for Occupational Therapy Assistants are TX, NJ, NV, CA and VA.

However, a higher pay at TX doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at TX might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as an Occupational Therapy Assistant is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
Associate’s degree

We asked other Occupational Therapy Assistants what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had an Associate’s Degree followed by a Master’s Degree.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Occupational Therapist Assistant
Read more about how to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being an Occupational Therapy Assistant.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes to help and teach others
Suitable for people who values relationships between co-workers and customers and wants to work in a friendly non-competitive environment
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
One of the fastest growing careers
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to start and carry out projects

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
81%

Is this job meaningful
86%


81% of Occupational Therapy Assistants said they were satisfied with their job and 86% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Helpers and The Builders

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.



Learn more about Occupational Therapy Assistants

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Occupational Therapy Assistants job description, Occupational Therapy Assistants salary, Occupational Therapy Assistants information, what is the job of an Occupational Therapy Assistant like, pros and cons about Occupational Therapy Assistants, colleges and universities for Occupational Therapy Assistants, is Occupational Therapy Assistants the right career for me, careers in Healthcare and Medical

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