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Occupational Therapy Aides

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$39,160

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$29k – $70k

Job outlook

+3% (about average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $93,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Occupational Therapy Aides

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Education

Typical entry: Associate degree

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$8,200–$23,000

Time to qualify

2.2 yr

Renewal

$75/yr

  1. 1

    Associate degree (community college)

    Degree

    Two years at in-district rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $4,050/yr, plus ~$1,200/yr books & supplies.

    $8,000–$22,000 · 2 years source

  2. 2

    National & state licensure

    License

    A national board/registry exam plus a state license application (the NCLEX pattern). Exact exam and fees depend on the role and state.

    $200–$1,000 · 2 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Occupational Therapy Aides" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Occupational Therapy Aides

    Entry / Junior

    $29,430

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Occupational Therapy Aides

    Established

    $39,160

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Occupational Therapy Aides

    Senior

    $54,680

Key skills

A typical 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.
  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.