2021 Occupational Therapy Assistants Salary Guide

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 Therapy Assistants Salary

Search by Location

Salary

$61.5K

Growth

35%

Bright Outlook

Bright

Green

Occupational Therapy Assistants Job Description

Also known as:

Acute Care Occupational Therapy Assistant, Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant/Licensed (COTA/L), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant-Licensed (COTA-L), Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA), Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), School Based Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Staff Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant/Licensed (Staff COTA/L)

How Much Do Occupational Therapy Assistants Make ? 2021

Percentile	10%	25%	50% (Median)	75%	90%
Annual Wage	$41,730	$52,150	$61,510	$73,190	$82,210
Hourly Wage	$20.06	$25.07	$29.57	$35.19	$39.52

How Much Do Occupational Therapy Assistants Make ? 2021

Percentile

10%

25%

50% (Median)

75%

90%

Annual Wage

$41,730

$52,150

$61,510

$73,190

$82,210

Hourly Wage

$20.06

$25.07

$29.57

$35.19

$39.52

Occupational Therapy Assistants Tasks

Select therapy activities to fit patients' needs and capabilities.
Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
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.
Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.
Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
Aid patients in dressing and grooming themselves.
Communicate and collaborate with other healthcare professionals involved with the care of a patient.
Evaluate the daily living skills or capacities of physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabled clients.
Attend continuing education classes.
Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.
Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.
Alter treatment programs to obtain better results if treatment is not having the intended effect.
Work under the direction of occupational therapists to plan, implement, or administer educational, vocational, or recreational programs that restore or enhance performance in individuals with functional impairments.
Teach patients how to deal constructively with their emotions.
Demonstrate therapy techniques, such as manual or creative arts or games.
Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling appointments, collecting data, or documenting health insurance billings.
Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling appointments, collecting data, or documenting health insurance billings.
Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling appointments, collecting data, or documenting health insurance billings.
Assemble, clean, or maintain equipment or materials for patient use.
Assemble, clean, or maintain equipment or materials for patient use.
Assemble, clean, or maintain equipment or materials for patient use.
Attend care plan meetings to review patient progress and update care plans.
Order any needed educational or treatment supplies.
Transport patients to and from the occupational therapy work area.
Assist educational specialists or clinical psychologists in administering situational or diagnostic tests to measure client's abilities or progress.
Design, fabricate, or repair assistive devices or make adaptive changes to equipment or environments.

What Activities Do Occupational Therapy Assistants Do?

Develop patient therapy programs.
Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.
Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.
Teach basic living or other adaptive skills to patients or caregivers.
Record vital statistics or other health information.
Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.
Maintain medical records.
Implement therapeutic programs to improve patient functioning.
Assist patients with daily activities.
Confer with other professionals to plan patient care.
Administer screening tests to determine abilities or treatment needs.
Attend educational events to update medical knowledge.
Prepare medical reports or documents.
Communicate patient status to other health practitioners.
Develop patient therapy programs.
Implement therapeutic programs to improve patient functioning.
Teach basic living or other adaptive skills to patients or caregivers.
Teach medical procedures to healthcare personnel.
Process medical billing information.
Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
Perform clerical work in medical settings.
Clean medical equipment.
Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use.
Confer with other professionals to plan patient care.
Inventory medical supplies or equipment.
Move patients to or from treatment areas.
Administer screening tests to determine abilities or treatment needs.
Make patient-assistive devices or device models.

Typical Occupational Therapy Assistants Knowledge?

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

What Are Typical Occupational Therapy Assistants Abilities?

Oral Expression - Communicating by speaking.
Oral Comprehension - Listening and understanding what people say.
Problem Sensitivity - Noticing when problems happen.
Written Expression - Communicating by writing.
Written Comprehension - Reading and understanding what is written.
Near Vision - Seeing details up close.
Information Ordering - Ordering or arranging things.
Speech Recognition - Recognizing spoken words.
Speech Clarity - Speaking clearly.

What Are Typical Occupational Therapy Assistants Skills? 2021

Active Listening - Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Speaking - Talking to others.
Time Management - Managing your time and the time of other people.
Writing - Writing things for co-workers or customers.
Social Perceptiveness - Understanding people's reactions.
Reading Comprehension - Reading work-related information.
Service Orientation - Looking for ways to help people.
Monitoring - Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
Judgment and Decision Making - Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.

What Are Typical Occupational Therapy Assistants Interests?

Social - Occupations with Social interests frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. Most involve helping or providing service to others.
Realistic - Occupations with Realistic interests frequently involve practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

What Is The Projected Employment For Occupational Therapy Assistants ? 2021

Location	2019 Employment	2029 Employment	Percent change	Annual projected job openings
United States	47,100	63,500	35%	6,900

What Is The Projected Employment For Occupational Therapy Assistants ? 2021

Location

2019 Employment

2029 Employment

Percent change

Annual projected job openings

United States

47,100

63,500

35%

6,900

What Is The Required Occupational Therapy Assistants Education & Experience? 2021

Associate's degree
No work experience
No on-the-job training

Occupational Therapy Assistants Schools ?

School	Program Name	Location	Length / Graduates
AdventHealth University	Occupational Therapist Assistant	Orlando, FL	2 years: 22
AdventHealth University	Occupational Therapist Assistant	Orlando, FL	2 years: 22
AdventHealth University	Occupational Therapist Assistant	Orlando, FL	2 years: 22
Albany State University	Occupational Therapist Assistant	Albany, GA	2 years: 18
Albany State University	Occupational Therapist Assistant	Albany, GA	2 years: 18
Albany State University	Occupational Therapist Assistant	Albany, GA	2 years: 18
Allegany College of Maryland	Occupational Therapist Assistant	Cumberland, MD	2 years: 16
Allegany College of Maryland	Occupational Therapist Assistant	Cumberland, MD	2 years: 16
Allegany College of Maryland	Occupational Therapist Assistant	Cumberland, MD	2 years: 16
Amarillo College	Occupational Therapist Assistant	Amarillo, TX	2 years: 15

Occupational Therapy Assistants Schools ?

500 United States

School

Program Name

Location

Length / Graduates

AdventHealth University