Occupational Therapy Aides Career, Salary and Skills
Occupational Therapy Aides have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $39,160 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 4,310. Wage data is published for 49 locations.
Occupation description
Under close supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing patient and treatment room.
O*NET code
31-2012.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$39,160
Hourly median
$18.83
Employment
4,310
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Service Orientation | 3.75 | 3.75 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.62 | 3.50 |
| Speaking | 3.62 | 3.50 |
| Active Listening | 3.50 | 3.62 |
| Coordination | 3.38 | 3.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.25 | 3.38 |
| Monitoring | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Writing | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.12 | 3.38 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.12 | 2.88 |
Typical tasks
- Encourage patients and attend to their physical needs to facilitate the attainment of therapeutic goals.
- Report to supervisors or therapists, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, attendance, and accomplishments.
- Observe patients' attendance, progress, attitudes, and accomplishments and record and maintain information in client records.
- Prepare and maintain work area, materials, and equipment and maintain inventory of treatment and educational supplies.
- Transport patients to and from the occupational therapy work area.
- Instruct patients and families in work, social, and living skills, the care and use of adaptive equipment, and other skills to facilitate home and work adjustment to disability.
- Assist occupational therapists in planning, implementing, and administering therapy programs to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance, using selected activities and special equipment.
- Demonstrate therapy techniques, such as manual and creative arts and games.
Technology
- Billing software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Scheduling software
Occupational Therapy Aides salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Occupational Therapy Aides Salary in TXMedian $37,180 · Employment 410
- Occupational Therapy Aides Salary in CAMedian $43,480 · Employment 330
- Occupational Therapy Aides Salary in PAMedian $37,100 · Employment 320
- Occupational Therapy Aides Salary in NCMedian $66,190 · Employment 250
- Occupational Therapy Aides Salary in NYMedian $46,220 · Employment 250
- Occupational Therapy Aides Salary in GAMedian $38,090 · Employment 200
- Occupational Therapy Aides Salary in OHMedian $36,380 · Employment 200
- Occupational Therapy Aides Salary in New York, NYMedian $46,260 · Employment 200
- Occupational Therapy Aides Salary in WAMedian $45,890 · Employment 190
- Occupational Therapy Aides Salary in Pittsburgh, PAMedian $37,100 · Employment 150
- Occupational Therapy Aides Salary in Atlanta, GAMedian $38,090 · Employment 130
- Occupational Therapy Aides Salary in Seattle, WAMedian $38,550 · Employment 130
Related careers
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric NursesNational median $97,550
- Medical AssistantsNational median $45,690
- Registered NursesNational median $97,550
- Acute Care NursesNational median $97,550
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkersNational median $60,280
- Clinical Nurse SpecialistsNational median $97,550
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansNational median $265,930
- Recreational TherapistsNational median $61,960
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.