How to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant
Official title: Occupational Therapy Assistants
Also called: Acute Care Occupational Therapy Assistant (Acute Care OT Assistant), Certified Occupational Assistant, Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Licensed Occupational Therapist Assistant (LOTA), Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (LOTA), Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA), Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), Registered Therapist Assistant, School Based Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (School Based COTA)
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.
Main tasks
- 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.
- Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.
- Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
- Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
- Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
- Select therapy activities to fit patients' needs and capabilities.
- Attend continuing education classes.
How to become one
Occupational therapy assistants typically need an associate's degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program. Occupational therapy assistants usually need a state-issued license. Occupational therapy aides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and receive training on the job.
Typical education to start: Associate's degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Occupational Therapy Assistant (Nof).
- Certificate or associate's degree: Associate's degree. Programs such as Occupational Therapist Assistant
- Licence: A licence is required in 44 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $72,300 a year The middle half earn $61,710 to $79,160.
- About 52,200 people work in this job now, and about 63,400 are projected by 2035. (+21.5%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Occupational therapy assistants typically need an associate's degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program. Occupational therapy assistants usually need a state-issued license. Occupational therapy aides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and receive training on the job.
How much does an Occupational Therapy Assistant earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $72,300 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $61,710 to $79,160.
Is an Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 22% by 2035, from about 52,200 to about 63,400 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Not always. 28% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Associate's degree; Occupational Therapy Assistant (Nof).
Will AI change the work of an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.