Occupational Therapy Aides
SOC code 31-2012 · O*NET-SOC 31-2012.00 · Medium preparation needed · Healthcare
Occupational Therapy Aides pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$39,160
a year
Hourly
$18.83
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$44,110
$21.21 per hour
Middle 50%
$35,920 – $46,780
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$29,430 – $70,200
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
4,310
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $29,430
- $14.15/hr
- 25th percentile
- $35,920
- $17.27/hr
- Median percentile
- $39,160
- $18.83/hr
- 75th percentile
- $46,780
- $22.49/hr
- 90th percentile
- $70,200
- $33.75/hr
What does an occupational therapy aide do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Evaluate the living skills and capacities of clients with physical, developmental, or mental health disabilities.
- 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.
How to become an occupational therapy aide
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 37% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)37%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree28%
- Some College Courses24%
- Post-Secondary Certificate9%
Common questions
How much does an occupational therapy aide earn?
The national median is $39,160 a year. The full range runs from $29,430 at the 10th percentile to $70,200 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an occupational therapy aide without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Speaking3.6/5
- Active Listening3.5/5
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Monitoring3.3/5
- Reading Comprehension3.1/5
- Writing3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Therapy and Counseling4.4/5
- English Language4.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.1/5
- Psychology3.8/5
- Computers and Electronics3.7/5
- Education and Training3.6/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.3/5
- Public Safety and Security3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving.