Occupational Therapy Assistant Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
To enter the profession, one must have an associates degree or a certificate in occupational therapy. A large number of accredited community colleges and technical schools offer degree programs for occupational therapy assistants. These courses focus on health care, physiology, anatomy, and basic medical terminology in the first year, and mental health, gerontology, pediatrics, and adult physical disabilities in the next year. Prior to becoming a professional occupational therapy assistant, one must also complete at least 16 weeks of fieldwork in a clinic or a community setting.
Training and Education
Obtaining an associate degree will help job seekers. Employees with four or more years of college are 13% of the total. An estimated 86% of occupational therapy assistants attended college at some level but did not pursue a 4-year degree.
Job Overview
Occupational therapy assistants offer rehabilitative services to patients suffering from mental or physical disorders. They work together with occupational therapists to improve the lives of the patients, and help them perform the normal day-to-day activities. They work out a treatment plan for each patient and help them overcome their disabilities.
Job Requirements
Occupational therapy assistants need to obtain a license before starting their practice. In most States, candidates need to pass a national certification examination after completing their graduation. On clearing the exam, occupational therapy assistants are awarded the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant title.
Employers generally recruit candidates with background knowledge in biology and health care. Voluntary work in offices of therapists or in health care facilities can give one an edge as far as employment prospects are concerned.
Apart from the educational qualifications, an occupational therapy assistant must be patient and have a strong sense of responsibility. They should be able to follow the instructions and procedures as recommended by the therapists or the hospital. Communication skills are also important since the work of occupational therapy assistants requires frequent interaction with patients and their families, as well as with the medical staff. They should be particularly sensitive to the needs of the patients, and be willing to cooperate with others in the implementation of the treatment plans.
Nature of Work
Occupational therapy assistants are required to help mentally and physically distressed patients perform daily activities like moving from the bed into a wheelchair, and exercising the muscles. They monitor the medical condition of the patients, and chart their progress. They provide the updated reports to the therapists and work out the treatment plans for each and every patient. Occupational therapy assistants also help in the documenting the patients health insurance billing.
Occupational therapy assistants work in well lit and comfortable surroundings where a high level of hygiene is maintained. However, depending on the place of employment, their work hours may vary. Working in the evenings and during the weekends is quite common in this profession. Occupational therapy assistants may occasionally suffer from work-related stress. However, caring for mentally and emotionally impaired people is in itself a rewarding job.
Area Job Conditions
Where are jobs most numerous? Cumberland (Maryland), Gadsden (Alabama), and Canton (Ohio). Least common? Fort Worth (Texas), San Jose (California), and Phoenix (Arizona).
Salaries vary across the country, from highest in Lynchburg (Virginia), San Diego (California), and Houston (Texas) to lowest in Syracuse (New York), Scranton (Pennsylvania), and Utica (New York).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Whether by choice or necessity, 18% of employees work part-time. About 4% of occupational therapy assistants do not work for a company or organization.
Career Videos
Occupational Therapy Assistants by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $50,000 | 80 | -7% |
| Gadsden | $51,000 | 50 | +876% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $54,000 | 80 | -74% |
| Tucson | $49,000 | 80 | +36% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno | $45,000 | 40 | -27% |
| Los Angeles | $59,000 | 550 | -23% |
| Oakland | $62,000 | 80 | -54% |
| Oxnard | $69,000 | 30 | -41% |
| Riverside | $56,000 | 200 | -5% |
| Sacramento | $50,000 | 40 | -74% |
| San Diego | $69,000 | 350 | +52% |
| San Francisco | $60,000 | 70 | -60% |
| San Jose | $52,000 | 80 | -49% |
| Santa Ana | $61,000 | 390 | +53% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | $42,000 | 30 | -30% |
| Denver | 190 | -13% | |
| Pueblo | $44,000 | 30 | +241% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $57,000 | 50 | -32% |
| Hartford | $55,000 | 290 | +189% |
| New Haven | $55,000 | 70 | +50% |
| Norwich | $57,000 | 70 | +247% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $58,000 | 60 | +7% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $63,000 | 130 | -70% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $55,000 | 30 | -8% |
| Deltona | $65,000 | 30 | +17% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $58,000 | 70 | -43% |
| Jacksonville | $61,000 | 60 | -43% |
| Miami | $47,000 | 60 | -65% |
| Ocala | $62,000 | 30 | +113% |
| Orlando | $59,000 | 70 | -61% |
| Palm Bay | $46,000 | 70 | +110% |
| Sarasota | $46,000 | 60 | +43% |
| Tampa | $61,000 | 410 | +104% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $55,000 | 100 | -75% |
| Augusta | $38,000 | 50 | +44% |
| Macon | $53,000 | 50 | +243% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $44,000 | 40 | -48% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $52,000 | 40 | -11% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $42,000 | 40 | +260% |
| Chicago | $53,000 | 840 | +27% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville | $54,000 | 90 | +213% |
| Fort Wayne | $47,000 | 90 | +160% |
| Gary | $54,000 | 80 | +73% |
| Indianapolis | $54,000 | 340 | +117% |
| South Bend | $42,000 | 40 | +87% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $46,000 | 40 | +73% |
| Davenport | $46,000 | 50 | +59% |
| Des Moines | $45,000 | 70 | +23% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | $56,000 | 40 | +121% |
| Wichita | $55,000 | 40 | -19% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $53,000 | 190 | +79% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $58,000 | 50 | -22% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $64,000 | 330 | +43% |
| Bethesda | $59,000 | 60 | -40% |
| Cumberland | $49,000 | 40 | +633% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $55,000 | 30 | +86% |
| Boston | $49,000 | 460 | +50% |
| Haverhill | $53,000 | 30 | +128% |
| Leominster | $46,000 | 50 | +562% |
| Lowell | $44,000 | 40 | +102% |
| Peabody | $46,000 | 60 | +262% |
| Springfield | $46,000 | 170 | +232% |
| Worcester | $50,000 | 160 | +272% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $46,000 | 100 | -15% |
| Grand Rapids | $45,000 | 110 | +68% |
| Warren | $48,000 | 280 | +48% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $39,000 | 50 | +132% |
| Minneapolis | $42,000 | 220 | -30% |
| Rochester | $43,000 | 40 | +139% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $43,000 | 120 | +177% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $49,000 | 160 | -10% |
| St Louis | $48,000 | 470 | +100% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $51,000 | 50 | -39% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $64,000 | 160 | +8% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | $61,000 | 40 | -56% |
| Edison | $65,000 | 170 | -6% |
| Newark | $60,000 | 100 | -43% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $53,000 | 70 | +5% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $41,000 | 110 | +40% |
| Buffalo | $36,000 | 290 | +201% |
| Kingston | $43,000 | 30 | +218% |
| Nassau | $50,000 | 200 | -10% |
| New York | $52,000 | 750 | -18% |
| Poughkeepsie | $48,000 | 150 | +255% |
| Rochester | $44,000 | 90 | +2% |
| Syracuse | $35,000 | 40 | -26% |
| Utica | $40,000 | 40 | +94% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $58,000 | 40 | +34% |
| Charlotte | $53,000 | 160 | +7% |
| Durham | $51,000 | 50 | +5% |
| Fayetteville | $41,000 | 50 | +139% |
| Greensboro | $60,000 | 40 | -35% |
| Hickory | $49,000 | 30 | +22% |
| Raleigh | $49,000 | 80 | -11% |
| Rocky Mount | $58,000 | 40 | +345% |
| Wilmington | $56,000 | 30 | +32% |
| Winston Salem | $53,000 | 40 | +12% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $42,000 | 40 | +99% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $49,000 | 70 | +26% |
| Canton | $54,000 | 130 | +364% |
| Cincinnati | $50,000 | 450 | +153% |
| Cleveland | $54,000 | 500 | +179% |
| Columbus | $49,000 | 270 | +67% |
| Dayton | $52,000 | 170 | +156% |
| Toledo | $49,000 | 310 | +512% |
| Youngstown | $52,000 | 160 | +314% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawton | $48,000 | 30 | +390% |
| Oklahoma City | $47,000 | 230 | +128% |
| Tulsa | $36,000 | 210 | +181% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $53,000 | 130 | -28% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $46,000 | 120 | +100% |
| Altoona | $46,000 | 40 | +322% |
| Harrisburg | $48,000 | 90 | +63% |
| Lancaster | $48,000 | 50 | +24% |
| Philadelphia | $48,000 | 390 | +16% |
| Pittsburgh | $47,000 | 690 | +243% |
| Reading | $52,000 | 90 | +221% |
| Scranton | $44,000 | 50 | +12% |
| York | $44,000 | 50 | +68% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $51,000 | 210 | +116% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $45,000 | 50 | +1% |
| Greenville | $49,000 | 60 | +16% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $56,000 | 130 | +234% |
| Clarksville | $33,000 | 30 | +140% |
| Kingsport | $65,000 | 40 | +100% |
| Knoxville | $41,000 | 140 | +143% |
| Memphis | $57,000 | 60 | -44% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | $58,000 | 120 | -13% |
| Dallas | $63,000 | 530 | +44% |
| El Paso | $69,000 | 70 | +50% |
| Fort Worth | $60,000 | 40 | -74% |
| Houston | $70,000 | 450 | -3% |
| Laredo | $56,000 | 50 | +299% |
| Mcallen | $51,000 | 70 | +79% |
| San Antonio | $55,000 | 180 | +18% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | $45,000 | 60 | -44% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg | $66,000 | 70 | +335% |
| Richmond | $57,000 | 70 | -35% |
| Roanoke | $50,000 | 50 | +92% |
| Virginia Beach | $55,000 | 150 | +13% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma | $50,000 | 40 | -12% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington | $50,000 | 40 | +114% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $50,000 | 50 | +165% |
| Fond | $55,000 | 30 | +366% |
| Green Bay | $42,000 | 40 | +41% |
| La Crosse | $43,000 | 40 | +252% |
| Madison | $48,000 | 90 | +54% |
| Milwaukee | $45,000 | 230 | +58% |
| Oshkosh | $48,000 | 40 | +183% |