Healthcare Support
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)
US median pay
$72,300
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+21.5%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
8,100
52,200 employed
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Aid patients in dressing and grooming themselves.
- Evaluate the daily living skills or capacities of clients with physical, developmental, or mental health disabilities.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.9/5
- Service Orientation3.9/5
- Time Management3.5/5
- Instructing3.2/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Systems Analysis3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.7/5
- Psychology4.3/5
- Education and Training3.9/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Therapy and Counseling3.7/5
- Public Safety and Security3.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Associate's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Associate's degree92%
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.