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The differences between certified occupational therapy assistants and occupational therapist assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a certified occupational therapy assistant and an occupational therapist assistants. Additionally, an occupational therapist assistants has an average salary of $51,377, which is higher than the $50,872 average annual salary of a certified occupational therapy assistant.
The top three skills for a certified occupational therapy assistant include patients, rehabilitation and home health. The most important skills for an occupational therapist assistants are patients, rehabilitation, and home health.
| Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant | Occupational Therapist Assistants | |
| Yearly salary | $50,872 | $51,377 |
| Hourly rate | $24.46 | $24.70 |
| Growth rate | 25% | 25% |
| Number of jobs | 70,679 | 44,824 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 84% | Associate Degree, 43% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants are professionals who work with licensed occupational therapists in providing therapy to patients. This therapy is usually related to the physical or mobility challenges of a patient. Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants help patients retain their skills, improve on their challenges, and eventually recover. They record the patient's progress after every therapy session. They may also help out in creating treatment plans for the patient. Since they spend a lot of time with patients, their inputs and recommendations are valuable in crafting and adjusting the treatment plan.
Working under the supervision and directives of a therapist, occupational therapist assistants provide treatments to patients with movement difficulties caused by illnesses and injuries. Their responsibilities include assisting patients while performing therapeutic activities, monitoring their conditions and progress, discussing care plans to guardians and families, and reporting to the therapists regularly. Furthermore, they are also in charge of performing clerical tasks such as preparing and processing documentation, maintaining patient records and medical histories, answering inquiries, handling calls and correspondence, and managing appointments.
Certified occupational therapy assistants and occupational therapist assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant | Occupational Therapist Assistants | |
| Average salary | $50,872 | $51,377 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $68,000 | Between $38,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mamaroneck, NY | Colorado Springs, CO |
| Highest paying state | New York | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Staten Island Academy | George C. Grape Community Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Education | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a certified occupational therapy assistant and an occupational therapist assistants in terms of educational background:
| Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant | Occupational Therapist Assistants | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 84% | Associate Degree, 43% |
| Most common major | Occupational Therapy | Occupational Therapy |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between certified occupational therapy assistants' and occupational therapist assistants' demographics:
| Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant | Occupational Therapist Assistants | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 15.2% Female, 84.8% | Male, 22.2% Female, 77.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.6% Asian, 5.2% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.6% Asian, 5.2% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |