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The differences between 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 an 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 $50,653 average annual salary of an occupational therapy assistant.
The top three skills for an occupational therapy assistant include patients, rehabilitation and home health. The most important skills for an occupational therapist assistants are patients, rehabilitation, and home health.
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | Occupational Therapist Assistants | |
| Yearly salary | $50,653 | $51,377 |
| Hourly rate | $24.35 | $24.70 |
| Growth rate | 25% | 25% |
| Number of jobs | 39,881 | 44,824 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 69% | Associate Degree, 43% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
An occupational therapy assistant is primarily responsible for assisting an occupational therapist when handling patients at a clinic or similar setting. Their duties revolve around gathering patient information and medical history, treating patients using the therapist's care plan, monitoring a patient's progress, and maintaining an accurate and extensive record. There are also instances when an assistant must discuss the conditions and extent of treatment to patients and families, as well as monitor supplies and inventory.
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.
Occupational therapy assistants and occupational therapist assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | Occupational Therapist Assistants | |
| Average salary | $50,653 | $51,377 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $68,000 | Between $38,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Urban Honolulu, HI | Colorado Springs, CO |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | PeaceHealth | George C. Grape Community Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Education | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an occupational therapy assistant and an occupational therapist assistants in terms of educational background:
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | Occupational Therapist Assistants | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 69% | Associate Degree, 43% |
| Most common major | Occupational Therapy | Occupational Therapy |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between occupational therapy assistants' and occupational therapist assistants' demographics:
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | Occupational Therapist Assistants | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.2% Female, 82.8% | 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% |