Occupational Therapy Assistants Career, Salary and Skills
Occupational Therapy Assistants have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $72,300 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 51,290. Wage data is published for 267 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
31-2011.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
Experience
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
National salary and employment
Median annual
$72,300
Hourly median
$34.76
Employment
51,290
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Speaking | 3.88 | 3.50 |
| Service Orientation | 3.88 | 3.25 |
| Active Listening | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.62 | 3.88 |
| Time Management | 3.50 | 2.88 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.38 | 3.38 |
| Monitoring | 3.38 | 3.12 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Active Learning | 3.25 | 3.25 |
Typical 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.
- Order any needed educational or treatment supplies.
Technology
- Microsoft Office software
- Billing software
- Bookkeeping software
- BrainTrain Captain's Log
- BrainTrain IVA+Plus
- BrainTrain SmartDriver
- Client caseload management software
- Database software
- dBASE
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Email software
- Fifth Walk BillingTracker
- FileMaker Pro
Occupational Therapy Assistants salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Occupational Therapy Assistants Salary in TXMedian $81,500 · Employment 5,610
- Occupational Therapy Assistants Salary in FLMedian $71,630 · Employment 3,910
- Occupational Therapy Assistants Salary in OHMedian $62,700 · Employment 3,890
- Occupational Therapy Assistants Salary in CAMedian $81,770 · Employment 3,840
- Occupational Therapy Assistants Salary in PAMedian $71,590 · Employment 2,560
- Occupational Therapy Assistants Salary in ILMedian $64,120 · Employment 2,470
- Occupational Therapy Assistants Salary in NYMedian $68,530 · Employment 2,230
- Occupational Therapy Assistants Salary in New York, NYMedian $74,960 · Employment 2,200
- Occupational Therapy Assistants Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $78,090 · Employment 1,720
- Occupational Therapy Assistants Salary in Chicago, ILMedian $67,840 · Employment 1,710
- Occupational Therapy Assistants Salary in NCMedian $69,390 · Employment 1,590
- Occupational Therapy Assistants Salary in INMedian $66,660 · Employment 1,490
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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.