Healthcare Support High Demand

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Occupational Therapy Assistants

SOC 31-2011

$68,340
Median Pay / yr
19%
High Demand
~11K
Openings / yr
2 years
Time to Entry

How Much Does an Occupational Therapy Assistant Make?

The national median salary for an Occupational Therapy Assistant is $68,340 per year ($32.86/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data).

That's roughly in line with the national median salary of $65,470 for all occupations.

Want to know exactly where YOU stand?

Free · 30 seconds · No credit card

Compare My Salary

How to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant

Education Required
Associate's degree
Typical Entry Path

Associate's from accredited OTA program (2yr)

Required Licenses & Certifications

NBCOT exam + state license

Time to Entry-Level
2 years

Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Outlook

Much faster than avg — the BLS projects 19% growth from 2024 to 2034.

That's significantly faster than the average across all occupations (4%).

About 10,700 positions are expected to open annually, from both new roles and replacement needs.

Aging population; rehab and disability services

What It's Like to Work as an Occupational Therapy Assistant

Physical Demands
Moderate

Expect a mix of desk work and some physical activity.

Remote Work
Very Low

This role typically requires in-person work at a specific location.

Find out if you're being paid what you're worth

Get your free, personalized income analysis in 30 seconds.

Get My Free Income Analysis

No credit card required · Takes 30 seconds

Frequently Asked Questions

Career data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024-34 projections (released August 2025). Salary data: BLS OEWS May 2024.

View on BLS.gov