Career comparison
Occupational Therapy Aide vs. Occupational Therapy Assistant
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Occupational therapy assistants earn more at the median ($72,300 vs. $39,160), while occupational therapy aides usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of training). Occupational therapy aides prepare therapy areas and help occupational therapy teams. Occupational therapy assistants help patients practice everyday skills under an occupational therapist.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Occupational Therapy Aide | Occupational Therapy Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $39,160 ($18.83/hr) | $72,300 ($34.76/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $29,430 – $70,200 | $51,490 – $89,780 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.6% (about as fast as average) | +21.5% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 600 | 8,100 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 1–4 weeks | 2 years |
| Key credential | CPR | COTA (NBCOT) |
| Work setting | Aides work in hospitals, rehab centers and outpatient clinics.. | OTAs work in hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes, schools and home health.. |
What each job does
Occupational Therapy Aide
- Prepare treatment areas
- Clean and organize equipment
- Transport patients
- Schedule appointments
- Assist with activities under supervision
Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Lead therapy activities
- Teach daily living skills
- Train on adaptive equipment
- Help children with fine motor skills
- Track and report progress
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose occupational therapy aide if…
- I want to explore therapy careers
- I’m organized
- I like helping
Choose occupational therapy assistant if…
- I want to help people regain independence
- I’m creative
- I like hands-on work
Still torn? Take the Occupational Therapy Aide fit quiz and the Occupational Therapy Assistant fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, occupational therapy aide or occupational therapy assistant?
Occupational Therapy Assistants earn more at the median: $72,300 versus $39,160 for occupational therapy aides, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Occupational Therapy Aides typically train faster (1–4 weeks) than occupational therapy assistants (2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects occupational therapy assistants to grow +21.5% from 2025–35, compared with +3.6% for occupational therapy aides.