How much does an OT aide make?
a year · about $19 an hour
A typical OT aide in the United States makes $39,160 a year, about $19 an hour, below a typical US worker ($50,980) (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
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.
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.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $29,430 and $70,200How do you become one?
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.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like helping and teaching and building and doing
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.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in North Carolina ($66,190), lowest in Mississippi ($24,300).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| 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 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $66,190 | about 250 |
| New York | $46,220 | about 250 |
| Washington | $45,890 | about 190 |
| Nebraska | $44,980 | about 90 |
| Connecticut | $44,840 | about 110 |
Official definition: 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.
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