Occupational Therapy Aide

Explore This Path

Help patients achieve therapeutic goals and improve their quality of life.
Support therapists by preparing treatment rooms and assisting with patient care.
Be part of a team that makes a real difference in patients' recovery journeys.

💰 Earn $34K-$39K

📚 High School Diploma or GED

⏱️ 12–24 MONTH TRAINING

📈 3.7% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll 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.

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.

Scoop

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED

Career Prospects

Good (Increasing by 1-5%)

Training Time

1 to 2 years

Job Openings

600 Annually

Median Earnings

$35,130 in California

$36,970 Nationally

$25K

$50K

$75K

$100K

$125K

$150K

$175K

$200K

$225K

$250K

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Relating with or serving others
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Social Perceptiveness
Speaking

You value 🙏

Accomplishing things
Having support
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Occupational Therapy Aide

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Workforce Development Program

A workforce development program typically enhances participants' opportunities to succeed in the workforce through employment skill-building, career counseling, connections to employers, and pathways to high-demand and high-wage jobs.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years