Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for licensed occupational therapy assistants in the United States
Licensed occupational therapy assistant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected licensed occupational therapy assistant job growth rate is 25% from 2018-2028.
About 11,500 new jobs for licensed occupational therapy assistants are projected over the next decade.
Licensed occupational therapy assistant salaries have increased 7% for licensed occupational therapy assistants in the last 5 years.
There are over 28,340 licensed occupational therapy assistants currently employed in the United States.
There are 39,219 active licensed occupational therapy assistant job openings in the US.
The average licensed occupational therapy assistant salary is $51,958.
Are licensed occupational therapy assistant jobs in demand?
Licensed occupational therapy assistant job and salary trends over time
Licensed occupational therapy assistant jobs over time
Licensed occupational therapy assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 28,340 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 28,860 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 30,372 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 28,799 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 28,117 | 0.01% |
Average licensed occupational therapy assistant salary over time
Licensed occupational therapy assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $51,958 | $24.98 | +2.3% |
| 2025 | $50,777 | $24.41 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $49,712 | $23.90 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $48,961 | $23.54 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $48,713 | $23.42 | +2.0% |
Licensed occupational therapy assistant jobs by state
Most common states for licensed occupational therapy assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 638 | 22% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 216 | 22% |
| 3 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 607 | 19% |
| 4 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 353 | 18% |
| 5 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 166 | 16% |
| 6 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,113 | 15% |
| 7 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 912 | 15% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 111 | 15% |
| 9 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 679 | 14% |
| 10 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 299 | 14% |
| 11 | Vermont | 623,657 | 90 | 14% |
| 12 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,327 | 13% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 715 | 13% |
| 14 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 570 | 12% |
| 15 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 129 | 12% |
| 16 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 69 | 12% |
| 17 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 3,085 | 11% |
| 18 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,117 | 11% |
| 19 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 796 | 11% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 188 | 11% |
Most common cities for licensed occupational therapy assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albuquerque | 1 | 0% | $49,336 |
Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of licensed occupational therapy assistant experts
Courtney Gohean MS, OTR/L, CLT
Academic Fieldwork CoordinatorWhat general advice would you give to a Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Courtney Gohean MS, OTR/L, CLT: Embrace Lifelong Learning: Occupational therapy is a dynamic field with continuous advancements. Stay current by attending workshops, seminars, and pursuing further certifications. This will not only enhance your skills but also keep you competitive in the job market.
What general advice would you give to a Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Nicole Scheiman DrOT, MHS, OTR/L, CLT-LANA, CES, CKTP, CEES-Advanced, CSST, CDCS, CORE: Likes: 1. Impactful Work, 2. Holistic Approach, 3. Diverse Opportunities, 4. Client-Centered Care, 5. Creative Interventions. Dislikes: 1. Administrative Burden, 2. Limited Resources, 3. High Stress Environments, 4. Complex Cases, 5. Scope of Practice.
What Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nicole Scheiman DrOT, MHS, OTR/L, CLT-LANA, CES, CKTP, CEES-Advanced, CSST, CDCS, CORE: Occupational therapy is a rewarding profession to enter for several reasons: 1. Growing Demand, 2. Diverse Opportunities, 3. Holistic Approach, 4. Focus on Functionality, 5. Opportunities for Creativity, 6. Interdisciplinary Collaboration.
What will help Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistants increase their earning potential?
Nicole Scheiman DrOT, MHS, OTR/L, CLT-LANA, CES, CKTP, CEES-Advanced, CSST, CDCS, CORE: Occupational therapy (OT) is a rewarding profession to enter for several reasons:
1. **Growing Demand**: The demand for occupational therapy services is expected to continue increasing due to factors such as an aging population, advances in medical technology, and a greater emphasis on preventive care and rehabilitation. This demand ensures job stability and opportunities for career growth.
2. **Diverse Opportunities**: OT practitioners work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, community health centers, mental health facilities, and private practices. This diversity allows OT professionals to explore different areas of practice and find roles that align with their interests and career goals.
3. **Holistic Approach**: Occupational therapy takes a holistic approach to healthcare, focusing on helping individuals participate in meaningful activities and improve their overall quality of life. OT practitioners address physical, cognitive, emotional, and environmental factors that impact a person's ability to engage in daily activities, making it a fulfilling profession.
4. **Focus on Functionality**: OT interventions are designed to enhance clients' functional abilities and independence in activities of daily living, work, leisure, and social participation. This client-centered approach empowers individuals to achieve their goals and live life to the fullest.
5. **Opportunities for Creativity**: Occupational therapists often utilize creative and innovative strategies to develop individualized treatment plans that meet the unique needs and preferences of their clients. This creativity allows OT practitioners to tailor interventions and adapt approaches to different situations and populations.
6. **Interdisciplinary Collaboration**: OT professionals collaborate closely with other healthcare professionals, educators, social workers, and community members to provide comprehensive care and support to clients. This interdisciplinary teamwork fosters a rich learning environment and promotes holistic approaches to healthcare delivery.
Overall, occupational therapy offers a dynamic and fulfilling career path for individuals who are passionate about helping others, promoting independence, and making a positive impact on people's lives.
Dr. Julie Estes
Assistant Clinical InstructorNortheastern State University
Occupational Therapy Program
What skills stand out on Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant resumes?
Dr. Julie Estes: This would depend, is the OT was a new graduate or a practicing therapist? When looking at resumes from recent graduates, I look for participation in their programs clubs such as the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), fieldwork experiences, and if they took additional opportunities to get experience through job shadowing outside of the program required fieldwork. When looking at resumes from practicing therapists, experience is also important, but I look to see how much time they have spent at their previous jobs. If the person's resume shows that they have a pattern of changing jobs every 1-2 years, that is a red flag. Continuing education and additional certifications also show that the therapist takes the initiative to hone their skills to benefit their clients.
What skills will help Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistants earn the most?
Dr. Julie Estes: Years of experience, additional certifications, and the ability to work in various settings will help you set yourself up for greater earning potential. Certain settings pay more than others, as well as certain states. Sometimes you have to weigh the pay against the benefits; for example, if you work in a school setting, your income may be less than in a hospital setting, but you have summers off. This is something the person needs to determine on their own what is most important.
Julie Seidle Ph.D.
Instructor & Research AssociateColorado State University
Department of Occupational Therapy
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Julie Seidle Ph.D.: I believe one of the biggest trends we will see, given the pandemic, is expansion of telehealth services for occupational therapy (OT). Provisions and reimbursement for telehealth OT services were limited before the pandemic but many states have allowed for telehealth to be used in response to COVID-19. It will be interesting to see to what extent these allowances of telehealth continue following the pandemic.
Another trend to consider is the number of practitioners leaving the field. This trend began before the pandemic with payment restructuring, loss of jobs, and burnout related to working within healthcare systems. These issues were only magnified by the pandemic and need to be addressed for the health of both our profession and the clients we serve. However, this has resulted in a greater number of OTs and OTAs using their skills in interesting and innovative ways. We are seeing these practitioners use their creativity, knowledge, and experience to expand services in non-traditional or emerging practice areas. We are also seeing practitioners shine in a range of entrepreneurial pursuits. I am amazed and inspired everyday by practitioners who continue working towards enhancing supports and services across traditional and non-traditional settings, especially during this pandemic.
How have salaries changed over time for Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistants?
Julie Seidle Ph.D.: Two things come to mind when I think of the discussions I have had related to salaries: cost of education and salaries reflecting the level of education needed to practice. As the level of education required to enter the field has risen, so have the costs of becoming a practitioner. Many practitioners then find that their salaries in the field do not necessarily rise to reflect their level of education. Both of these issues have the potential to negatively impact the strength of our field and need to be included in continued conversations around addressing and improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within the field.