Darton State College
Home » Programs » Allied Health » Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Employment Outlook
Students today can look forward to dynamic careers working in multiple settings with people of all ages. And the employment outlook for occupational therapy assistants is bright! Recent information published by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that the job outlook for occupational therapy assistants will continue to improve steadily for the foreseeable future. Specifically, it states that:
"Employment of occupational therapy assistants…is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2010," meaning that employment is expected to increase by 36% or more.
One of the greatest advantages of a career as an occupational therapy assistant is the wide variety of opportunities available to graduates. Many assistants choose to help children thrive in the "occupations" of childhood–learning, playing, and growing. Some work in schools with students who having learning disabilities, behavioral problems, cerebral palsy, or Down syndrome.
Occupational therapy assistants also work with individuals in their homes, community centers, rehabilitation hospitals, and nursing homes. In these settings, they help people with traumatic injuries, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, or mental health problems learn to live productive lives through the use of meaningful occupations.
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) continually monitors and researches the occupational therapy profession to maintain updated data for its members. Compensation and benefits data have been tracked over the past several years to ascertain trends in salary levels and determine basic operational information.
| Overall Annual Salary | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | Median | Low | High | No Response | ||
| OTs | Full-time | $47,398 | $45,000 | $12,000 | $175,000 | 1214 |
| Part-time | $28,370 | $26,875 | $600 | $75,000 | 507 | |
| OTAs | Full-time | $30,132 | $30,000 | $11,635 | $65,000 | 142 |
| Part-time | $19,599 | $18,928 | $3,000 | $47,000 | 55 | |
Note: Data are for primary OT setting.
Other Resources
- A Booming and Best Job: Occupational Therapy a Thriving Career
- Occupational Therapy Recognized as a "Best Career" by US News & World Report
- A Look at Job Market for OTs and OTAs - pdf, 87 kb
- Occupational Therapy Named One of Nation's 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs - pdf, 31 kb
- Employment Center
- Workforce Trends in Occupational Therapy - pdf, 114 kb
Program Contact: Tonya Curles
Content Contact: Anthony Williams (web representative)
The Darton State College web site is maintained by the Technology Services Division.
