Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides

Occupational therapy assistants help occupational therapists provide treatments and procedures to clients. Occupational therapy aides do select or routine tasks, such as preparing treatment rooms, under the direction of occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants.

Duties

Occupational therapy assistants typically do the following:

• Guide clients in therapeutic activities, such as exercises to improve motor skills and functional abilities 
• Lead children who have disabilities in play activities that promote coordination, socialization, and meeting developmental milestones
• Teach clients new ways of accomplishing everyday tasks
• Instruct clients in the use of special equipment—for example, showing a client with Parkinson’s disease how to use adaptive devices to simplify meal preparation
• Record clients’ progress, report to occupational therapists, and do other administrative tasks

Occupational therapy aides typically do the following:

• Prepare treatment areas, such as by setting up therapy equipment
• Escort clients to and from treatment areas
• Clean treatment areas and equipment
• Help clients complete paperwork, such as forms for billing and insurance
• Do clerical tasks, including scheduling appointments and answering telephones

Occupational therapy assistants work with occupational therapists to help clients develop, improve, and maintain everyday skills. For example, they may teach clients to move from a bed into a wheelchair or to complete self-care activities, such as bathing and getting dressed.

In addition, an occupational therapy assistant might help injured clients return to the workforce by teaching them to compensate for lost motor skills. Occupational therapy assistants also may work with people who have disabilities, helping them learn socialization, money management, or other skills they need to be successful and independent at school, work, or home.

Occupational therapy assistants are part of an interdisciplinary team that includes occupational therapists and other healthcare specialists. These assistants help to coordinate client care by monitoring activities to make sure that clients do them correctly, recording client progress, and providing feedback. They also collaborate with occupational therapists so that the therapist can modify the client’s plan as needed.

Occupational therapy aides usually prepare materials and assemble equipment used during treatment. They may greet clients and assist clients in moving to and from treatment areas. They may take and record client vital signs prior to a therapy session. They may communicate patient status and symptoms to occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.

Occupational therapy aides also may assist an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant by retrieving or removing therapy equipment. After a therapy session, aides clean the treatment area and equipment, put away equipment, and gather laundry.

Occupational therapy aides may help clients complete insurance forms and other paperwork. They also are responsible for a range of clerical tasks, such as scheduling appointments, answering the telephone, and monitoring inventory.

Occupational therapy aides held about 5,200 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of occupational therapy aides were as follows:

Occupational therapy assistants held about 49,200 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of occupational therapy assistants were as follows:

Occupational therapy assistants and aides spend much of their time standing while setting up equipment and, in the case of assistants, providing therapy to clients. Constant kneeling and stooping are part of the job, as is the occasional need to lift clients.

Injuries and Illnesses

Occupational therapy aides have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Their work may require physically demanding tasks, which can cause injuries. Aides can limit some of their risks, such as protecting against back injury by using proper body mechanics and lifting techniques when moving clients.

Work Schedules

Most occupational therapy assistants and aides work full time, but part-time work is common. Their schedules may include work in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate clients’ schedules.

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.

The median annual wage for occupational therapy aides was $37,370 in May 2024.

The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants was $68,340 in May 2024.

Overall employment of occupational therapy assistants and aides is projected to grow 18 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 7,900 openings for occupational therapy assistants and aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.