An occupational therapy assistant helps people regain independence and improve their daily living skills after injury, illness, or disability. The work is hands-on, deeply rewarding, and you can enter the field with an associate degree.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
Occupational therapy assistants work under the supervision of occupational therapists to help patients develop or recover the skills they need for everyday life. You'll assist with therapeutic activities, document patient progress, and communicate regularly with your supervisor and the broader care team. The work involves thinking creatively to adapt activities to each person's needs, building strong relationships with patients, and staying current with therapy techniques and best practices. You'll support people across ages and conditions, from stroke recovery to mental health to developmental challenges.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Occupational Therapy Assistants earn a median of $72,300 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 19 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average for all occupations, with about 7,200 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need an associate degree, which typically takes two years of full-time study. The program covers customer service, psychology, education and training, therapy and counseling, and public safety. You'll develop skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing. After completing your education, you'll be prepared for a medium-complexity job that requires hands-on training and supervised practice. Many programs include clinical experience so you can learn alongside working professionals before you graduate.
Most paths to this career start with an associate degree program. If you're deciding between different schools or timelines, Pathly can map the occupational therapy assistant path that fits you to map out your options step by step, with your counselor's support.
Many occupational therapy assistants must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You're drawn to work that centers on people. You listen well, communicate clearly, and find meaning in helping others build skills and confidence.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).