Occupational Therapist Assistant Jobs
Training and Education Jobs and Salaries
Occupational therapist assistants and aides hold about 33,000 jobs. Occupational therapist assistants hold about 25,000 jobs, and occupational therapist aides hold approximately 8,000. About 29 percent of jobs for assistants and aides are in hospitals, 23 percent are in offices of occupational therapists, and 21 percent are in nursing and residential care facilities. The rest were primarily in community care facilities for the elderly, home health care services, individual and family services, and State government agencies.
Employment is expected to grow much faster than average as demand for occupational therapy services rises and as occupational therapists increasingly use assistants and aides. Job prospects should be very good for occupational therapist assistants. Job seekers holding only a high school diploma might face keen competition for occupational therapist aide jobs. Employment of occupational therapist assistants and aides is expected to grow 25 percent from 2006 to 2016, much faster than the average for all occupations.
In the short run, the impact of proposed Federal legislation imposing limits on reimbursement for therapy services may adversely affect the job market for occupational therapist assistants and aides. Over the long run, however, demand for occupational therapist assistants and aides will continue to rise because of the increasing number of individuals with disabilities or limited function.
The growing elderly population is particularly vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that require therapeutic services. These patients often need additional assistance in their treatment, making the roles of assistants and aides vital. Also, the large baby-boom generation is entering the prime age for heart attacks and strokes, further increasing the demand for cardiac and physical rehabilitation.
In addition, future medical developments should permit an increased percentage of trauma victims to survive, creating added demand for therapy services. An increase of sensory disorders in children will also spur demand for occupational therapy services. Occupational therapists are expected to increasingly utilize assistants and aides to reduce the cost of occupational therapy services. Once a patient is evaluated and a treatment plan is designed by the therapist, the occupational therapist assistant can provide many aspects of treatment, as prescribed by the therapist.
Opportunities for individuals interested in becoming occupational therapist assistants are expected to be very good. In addition to employment growth, job openings will result from the need to replace occupational therapist assistants and aides who leave the occupation permanently. Occupational therapist assistants and aides with prior experience working in an occupational therapy office or other health care setting will have the best job opportunities, however, individuals with only a high school diploma may face keen competition for occupational therapist aide jobs.
Median annual earnings of occupational therapist assistants are around $42,000. The middle 50 percent earn between $34,000 and $50,000. The lowest 10 percent earn less than $26,000, and the highest 10 percent earn more than $58,000. Median annual earnings of occupational therapist aides are around $25,000. The middle 50 percent earn between $20,500 and $32,000 while the lowest 10 percent earn less than $17,000, and the highest 10 percent earn more than $44,000.