There are plenty of reasons to pursue a career in occupational therapy, but getting an OT master’s or doctorate degree can be expensive and time-intensive.
Luckily, those looking for a faster and more cost-effective option can consider a path as an occupational therapy assistant (OTA). Being an OTA is a personally satisfying career—and, one study has shown that it has the highest return on investment compared to OT, physical therapist (PT) and physical therapist assistant (PTA) degrees.
OTAs are the “hands-on” partners who help turn occupational therapy care plans into real-life results. Whether assisting a child with sensory processing differences, supporting a stroke survivor in regaining independence, or teaching an older adult to safely manage daily routines at home, OTAs are on the front lines of patient care—making it a rewarding job for those who enjoy people-facing work.
This guide explains what OTAs do, how to become one, where they work, how much they earn, and how to chart your own career path in this dynamic allied-health field.
What is an occupational therapy assistant?
An occupational therapy assistant (OTA) is a licensed health professional who delivers therapy services under the supervision of an occupational therapist (OT). OTAs help clients regain, develop, or maintain the skills needed for everyday life—from dressing, cooking, and driving to returning to work after illness or injury. Whereas OTs lead evaluations, OTAs often carry out the prescribed interventions and assist the OT with treatment.
Working as part of the allied health team, OTAs collaborate with occupational therapists, physical therapists (PTs), speech‑language pathologists (SLPs), nurses, physicians, and other care providers to deliver holistic support for patients in their journey toward achieving their functional goals.
Occupational therapy assistant roles account for about 24% of available OT professional jobs in the United States. (The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates OTs and OTA jobs in 2024 were 144,840 and 46,090, respectively.)
Occupational therapy is inherently a “doing” profession—focused on helping people engage in meaningful occupations—and OTAs play a crucial role in translating care plans into action. Their work is hands-on and often patient-facing.
What is a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA)?
In most states, OTAs must pass a national certification test to practice. This test is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After passing the exam, an OTA earns the “certified occupational therapy assistant” (COTA) credential. Certification demonstrates clinical competency, helps ensure professional standards across the OTA field, and is often required for licensure.
OTAs in most states have the option to continue to renew their certification, but it is not required to remain licensed. Certification for license renewal is only required in Hawaii and South Carolina.
Additionally, many states require OTAs to complete a certain amount of continuing education to maintain licensure. See our full guide on occupational therapy continuing education requirements to learn more.
What does an occupational therapy assistant do?
In occupational therapy, OTAs are best described as “doers” or “intervention specialists.” Under the direction of a licensed OT, they:
- Implement therapeutic interventions and activities. This includes everything from fine motor exercises and activities of daily living (ADL) training to adaptive equipment training and sensory integration activities.
- Monitor client progress and report outcomes to the supervising OT so treatment plans can be adjusted as needed.
- Assist with documentation such as progress notes and outcomes reporting.
- Help clients adapt their environments or approaches—for example, rearranging a kitchen for someone with limited mobility or teaching energy-conservation strategies after illness.
- Educate clients and caregivers on adaptive strategies, home exercise programs, or assistive devices so they can continue therapy between visits.
- Prepare equipment/devices and ensure safety during interventions and treatment sessions.
OTAs do not perform full initial evaluations or create treatment plans independently (though they may contribute through observations or data). The supervising OT remains responsible for providing treatment direction and oversight as well as making any necessary adjustments to the plan of care.
In practice, much of an OTA’s time is spent on direct patient contact, intervention, adaptation, and collaboration with the broader care team to carry out the treatment plan.
Where do OTAs work?
OTAs can practice in a wide range of settings. Some of the most common include:
- Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs)/long-term care: Helping older adults regain and/or maintain function and independence, often after illness or surgery.
- Home health therapy: Delivering therapy in clients’ homes, often focusing on safety, assistive equipment, and ADLs.
- Outpatient clinics/rehabilitation centers: Supporting recovery after injury or surgery.
- Hospitals/acute care: Assisting patients during early recovery stages.
- Schools and early intervention programs: Working with children who have developmental delays or disabilities.
- Mental health or behavioral health facilities: Helping clients develop coping skills, routines, and functional strategies.
- Community-based programs: Facilitating wellness, prevention, ergonomics, or return-to-work programs.
Check out our OT jobs page to find full-time, part-time, travel, and non-clinical OTA roles near you!
Because OTAs are often viewed as cost-effective providers who can execute a variety of OT-directed interventions, many facilities incorporate OTAs heavily, especially in settings with high therapy demand or staffing needs.
How much does a certified occupational therapy assistant make?
Compensation for OTAs varies widely by geography, experience, setting, and employer. Here are some data points to consider:
- According to NATSAP, the average OTA salary in 2025 is about $63,203 a year, or about $30.39 per hour.
- U.S. News lists the median OTA salary at around $67,010 (2023 data), with the lower quartile at about $59,400 and the upper quartile at around $77,290.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $66,050 for OTAs in 2024.
- AOTA’s Workforce and Compensation Survey Report also provides aggregated OT and OTA salary data. (Note that you must be an AOTA member to access the full report.) As we mentioned here, the AOTA’s 2023 estimate for median annual pay for OTAs was $50,000 (down slightly from $50,481 in 2018).
Here at OT Potential, we completed a comprehensive analysis of OTA/COTA salaries across multiple databases. Based on our calculations, the current average OTA salary is $61,174. Be sure to check out our OTA salary guide to learn more about how we arrived at this number. We also dive into variations in OTA pay across different states, settings, and years of experience.
This study, published in 2021, estimates the lifetime salary earnings of an OTA could be around $3.57 million. The calculations in this paper, show the return on investment outpacing OT, PT, and PTAs due to lower debt incurred by the degree. (Of course, please do you own calculations, as your individual level of debt, spending, and commitment to retirement savings will impact this number.)
It is important to note that settings tend to pay OTAs more due to greater reimbursement potential. (For example, as we highlighted in the guide linked above, OTAs who work in skilled nursing facilities or home health settings often make above-average wages.)
On average, OTAs tend to earn more than other Associate’s level educated professionals, including physical therapist assistants.
How to become an occupational therapy assistant
There are four main steps to become an occupational therapy assistant:
- Earn an associate degree or bachelor’s degree from an accredited OTA program. In the U.S., programs must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
- Complete required fieldwork and clinical rotations. OTA students complete supervised fieldwork experiences in various settings to gain hands-on clinical skills.
- Pass the certification exam and become licensed. After graduating from an accredited OTA program, candidates sit for the NBCOT certification exam to become a COTA. Many states also require licensure or registration in addition to certification.
- Maintain certification and complete ongoing continuing education. OTAs must adhere to their state’s continuing education or professional development requirements to maintain licensure.
What schools offer occupational therapy assistant programs?
The chart below shows accredited associate-level and bachelor’s-level OTA programs offered by US-based community colleges, technical colleges, and universities as of 2024 (according to ACOTE). For more information on these programs—and to learn which schools are in the process of developing OTA programs—check out ACOTE’s full directory.
Evaluating an OTA program
When evaluating potential OTA programs, be sure to consider:
- Accreditation status
- Cost and financial aid
- Quality and variety of fieldwork placements
- NBCOT pass rates
- Class sizes and faculty credentials
- Flexibility (e.g., part-time or online options)
Always verify the program’s current status before applying, as some have closed or adjusted their OTA offerings. (You can find up-to-date information on such closures in the ACOTE directory.)
What can certified OT assistants specialize in?
There are many potential areas of focus for OTAs, such as:
- Pediatrics (e.g., sensory integration or school-based work)
- Geriatrics/aging-in-place care
- Hand therapy support
- Mental health and behavioral health
- Neurological rehabilitation
- Community wellness/prevention
- Assistive technology and adaptive equipment
- Ergonomics/workplace rehab
Take a look at this OT Potential resource for more ideas on where a COTA career might lead you.
Keep in mind that in some advanced or highly specialized settings, employers may prefer or require an OT (versus an OTA) in certain roles. Additionally, some specialties may limit OTA hiring.
OTA reimbursement
Reimbursement rules are a critical factor in OTA employment opportunities and compensation levels. Here are a few things to be aware of:
- In 2022, a Medicare rule began reimbursing occupational therapy assistant services under Part B at 85% of the rate of equivalent OT services.
- OTA-provided services under Part A (e.g., those delivered in SNFs or during inpatient stays) are generally unaffected by the reimbursement cut.
- Some insurance contracts or payer agreements may reimburse OTA-provided services at lower rates; this can influence employer decisions to use OTAs versus OTs.
- Advocacy around fair payments is ongoing within the OT and OTA professional community.
Because reimbursement policies heavily influence revenue and margins in organizations employing OTs and OTAs, in some settings, OTAs are used more strategically (e.g. for tasks that are easier to standardize) while more complex services remain with OTs.
Hot topics for OTAs
Here are some of the topics that have members of the OTA community buzzing:
- Resilience to being replaced by AI: As we discuss in our OTA Hot Topics webinar, the work of an OTA is not likely to be replaced by AI.
- Payment pressures and reimbursement cuts: The 15% reduction for OTAs under Medicare Part B has stirred controversy and affected hiring, staffing, and access to OTA services.
- Program closures and saturation: Some regions report OTA program closures due to financial or regulatory constraints.
- Job market saturation versus demand: While demand remains high in many areas, some local markets are saturated with OTA graduates competing for limited positions.
- Scope and career ceiling: Some OTAs question whether OTA is a viable long-term career or more of a stepping stone to an OT career based on the wage ceiling and limited upward mobility.
- Burnout and physical demands: OTA work can be physically intensive, often requiring a lot of lifting, transfers, and hands-on care. This can lead some to seek less physically demanding roles over time.
- Telehealth and remote roles: As telehealth expands, some OTA roles may adapt to a remote service delivery model, though limitations exist based on licensure and payer rules.
- Advocacy for parity: The OTA community continues advocacy efforts aimed at minimizing the negative impact of reimbursement cuts and preserving access to OTA care.
- Decreasing program enrollment: According to the AOTA, during the 10-year period from 2013 to 2023, OTA program enrollment peaked at 10,241 students in 2015 before declining steadily to a low of 6,055 students in 2023 (a decrease of about 41%).
Pros and cons of becoming an OTA
As you weigh the decision to become an OTA—especially if you are thinking about becoming an OT instead—here are a few positives and negatives to consider.
Pros
- Shorter educational path with lower debt: Compared to OT education, OTA programs are shorter and less expensive.
- Hands-on, patient-facing work: Many OTAs enjoy the practical, social, and meaningful nature of applying interventions.
- High demand and job availability in many areas: OTA work is plentiful in many regions, especially in rural or underserved communities.
- Flexibility: Many OTAs can work PRN (i.e., as-needed), part-time, or in multiple settings.
- Potential to bridge to OT later and/or leverage skills for career growth: Some OTAs choose to complete OT school later in their career. Our conversation with Amy Mahle, Ed.D., COTA/L, ROH highlights the multiple opportunities available to OTAs.
Cons
- Lower ceiling on compensation: Reimbursement models often limit how much an OTA can make.
- Less autonomy: OTAs work under supervision and have limited ability to direct therapy independently.
- Vulnerability to reimbursement changes: Policy shifts (like Medicare’s 85% rule) can disproportionately affect OTA roles.
- Competitive entry-level hiring: In saturated markets, new grads may find fewer job openings.
- Physical strain and burnout: Hands-on work leads to wear and tear over time.
Find an OTA near you
If you want to connect with an OTA in your area (or hire one!), use the OT Potential Directory and filter by degree and region.
You can also check with your local or state OT associations to see if they maintain directories or contact lists—or connect with the hospitals, clinics, or rehab facilities in your area to see if they employ OTAs and are willing to refer you to some of their staff members.
Conclusion and tips for planning your OTA path
Becoming an OTA can be a meaningful and rewarding career choice—especially if you value direct patient interaction, want a more affordable and shorter educational path, and are comfortable working under the supervision of an occupational therapist. However, like many healthcare roles, OTA work comes with challenges tied to reimbursement, career ceilings, and shifting policy environments.
If you decide to pursue an OTA career, be sure to:
- Map out your region: Check OTA job availability and pay in the location(s) where you intend to live.
- Vet programs carefully: Ensure ACOTE accreditation, quality fieldwork, and strong pass rates.
- Budget wisely: Look for programs that minimize debt.
- Stay informed about policy changes: Reimbursement shifts can affect job availability and pay levels.
- Consider long-term goals: The OTA degree is satisfying in itself, and can serve as a jumping off point to many roles.
Continuing education for OTAs!
At OT Potential we are proud to offer affordable and impactful continuing education for occupational therapy assistants. Check out our courses!
