How much does a ot aide make?
Answer: A typical ot aide in the United States makes $39,160 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 4,000 people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
OT aide pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $29,430 | $39,160 | $70,200 | about 4,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the US, aides with more experience or useful skills may earn more, and pay can differ by location and employer, such as a nursing home, hospital, or therapy office. Working more hours can raise total yearly earnings.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a ot aide do?
Under close supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing patient and treatment room.
What's a typical day like?
They set up therapy rooms and equipment, greet or escort clients, and help with forms or appointment calls. Between sessions, they clean and put away equipment, restock supplies, and may record a client's vital signs.
How to get this job
In the US, earn a high school diploma or equivalent, then apply for OT aide jobs; an OT college degree or license is not normally needed. Employers train new aides on the job for several days or weeks, including equipment setup and infection control.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like helping and teaching and building and doing.
Did you know?
Some U.S. OT aides may take and record a client's vital signs before a therapy session—not just set up equipment.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Healthcare Support jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapy-assistants-and-aides.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-2012.00
- www.aota.org/career/become-an-ot-ota
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY