OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS’ EARNING POTENTIAL
REWARDING WORK WITH JOBS ALWAYS GUARANTEED
Occupational therapy is a tough but extremely rewarding profession. It is considered one of the most fulfilling and flexible careers in health care, with most occupational therapy practitioners choosing this profession as they are passionate about helping people lead better and more productive lives.
Occupational therapy is a growing healthcare field in the United States with employment opportunities expected to steadily increase. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS- https://www.bls.gov/) place Occupational therapy assistants (OTA) among their list of the fastest-growing occupations and predict much faster than average growth (36% or more) for OTAs in the next decades. As there is already a shortage of OTAs in the USA, you will always have work and it’s highly unlikely that you can easily be replaced by AI. After all, you are part of a profession that is client centered, and your intervention is based purely on each individual’s specific needs, goals and preferred occupations.
SALARIES
Let’s be honest, OTAs do not earn as much as other professionals but how many professionals end their work day knowing that they have honestly helped another person heal, gain function, and reach their potential.
According to the BLS, the median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants was $67,010 in May 2023.This as an average salary that will increase as you gain experience.There are other factors that also determine your salary such as:
- Location: Some cities have higher average salaries than others.
- Skill level: OTAs with higher skill levels may earn more.
This map highlights the median annual salaries for Occupational Therapy Assistants by state, showcasing the regional opportunities and earning potential in this rewarding healthcare field.
DIVERSE PLACES TO WORK
The United States of America offers exceptional opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners due
to the high demand for their specialized expertise. OTAs who become certified, will be able to choose in which setting and with which population they would prefer to work.
Work places include:
- Hospitals
- Skilled and intermediate care facilities
- Rehabilitation Hospitals and Centers
- Mental health facilities
- Senior Living Communities
- Senior day programs
- Home Health
- Early intervention programs
- School settings
- Community wellness centers
- Hand therapy clinics
- Non-clinical settings assuming roles such an educator
OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE THE USA
If you are interested in seeing the country, travel occupational therapy can be lucrative as well as rewarding.
FAQ
Yes- According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/), overall employment of occupational therapy assistants is projected to grow 21 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 7,800 openings for occupational therapy assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/), the median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants was $67,010 in May 2023.
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Pick a high-paying setting.
According (www.myotspot.com) the top paying jobs are currently as follows:
- Home Health OT.
- Hospital-based OT (Acute care or Inpatient rehab)
- Academia.
- Skilled Nursing Facilities.
- Non-traditional OT Roles.
Holistic Approach
What is unique to OT and what sets it apart from other healthcare professions, is its holistic approach to patient care. OT practitioners focus not only on patients’ physical health but also on their mental, emotional, and social well-being.
Treat patients across the lifespan
As the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) outlines, occupational therapy is the only profession that has the privilege to help people across the lifespan. OTPs can treat a diverse patient population and easily transition into a new setting should they seek a career change.
PROOF OF HOW AN OT PRACTITIONER CAN IMPACT SOMEONE’S LIFE– how many professions can claim this?
The day an occupational therapist changed my life–
5 individuals tell their stories of how their lives were turned around by the help and support from an occupational therapist.
Martin B
“In December 2010 I was rushed to hospital with a brain hemorrhage. I was in there for two weeks and came out on new year’s eve. I thought I’d soon be ready to go back to work, but when my OT came to interview me, I fell asleep as she was talking to me. She gave me tools to stop the fatigue setting in. Just 10 or 15 minutes’ meditation, even in a noisy room, and I get my energy back and am ready to go again.“It was six months before she finally said: ‘You’re fit to go to work now.’ It was a sad day when she said she was totally discharging me, because I was losing that safe place. I didn’t think occupational therapy would help somebody like me. It’s such an eye-opener. I can never thank her enough.”
Mike K
“I was on holiday 16 years ago and I dived into a swimming pool, not realizing it was the shallow end. I hit my head on the bottom and broke my neck. I spent 10 months in hospital in Glasgow, where I received occupational therapy. It was just learning to do things with the limited mobility I had in my hands – picking things up, fastening buttons, dressing myself, the things you take for granted.“Before my accident, sport was my main interest. While I was at the unit, I was able to use the hydrotherapy pool and take part in sports days.“When I came out I took up wheelchair rugby and competed in the 2012 Paralympics. If it wasn’t for the OTs, I would never have had the opportunity.”
Esther R
“I had my fall after stepping on the worktop in my kitchen to reach the meter, which is in a high cupboard, and landed on my shoulder, fracturing my humerus. The specialist from the fracture clinic decided it needed to be pinned and have a plate put in. “Once back at home, I had an OT from the rehab team come in and see me twice a day for a week, and then in the mornings for a week after that. They helped with the dressing, and I also had to have help with drying my feet and back. It was not only a help in the practical sense but a pleasure to know someone was coming in. We joked and got on. It was invaluable.”
Maria S
“I’ve had a double lung transplant. Last year, I was told about a new choir called Singing 4 Breathing, for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), run by OT students at Northampton University, so I went along to find out what it was all about. There are 50 of us, we meet weekly and sing a mix of folk and pop songs. The teacher has taught us how to breathe when singing. It makes you feel so happy and joyful. I never knew I could sing a tune. It’s so amazing when you think you can’t speak because you have COPD, and yet you can sing.”
Joe L, and his son Tom
“Our son Tom suffered a huge brain injury when he was born. About 40% of the left side of his brain had been damaged. We were told he would find certain things very challenging, especially speech, high-capacity functions and movement.“We met Anne Gordon, who manages the OT team at Evelina London children’s hospital, when Tom was six months old. Tom would never grab anything with his right hand, so Anne suggested using constraint-induced movement therapy, which meant restricting his left hand, forcing him to use his right hand.“Tom’s right hand is still affected, but he can now grab a ball with both hands, and hold a cup – things that other people would think is not that big a deal, but for us it’s absolutely massive.”
BE INSPIRED–
Meet Lupita Rodriguez who overcame setbacks to become an Occupational Therapist Assistant
Lupita’s story as published online:
https://www.gatewaycc.edu/news/2023/gateway-graduate-overcomes-setbacks-become-occupational-therapist-assistant
For Lupita Rodriguez, the journey to becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) was far from straightforward. Her story is one of perseverance, setbacks, and eventual success. Rodriguez’s college career began while still in high school when she joined the Achieving a College Education program at Estrella Mountain Community College. After graduation, she was accepted into a bilingual nursing fellowship program, but unfortunately failed her course during Block 1 and was placed on a waiting list. It was during this period of waiting that Rodriguez began to search for her true calling.
“When I was placed on the waitlist, I chose not to continue my nursing journey,” said Rodriguez. ”I prayed and kept positive about finding where I was supposed to be. One morning I woke up thinking about Occupational Therapy, I researched GateWay’s program and applied within a week.” She was drawn to the program because it offered a long-term career that allowed her to help others, a desire that had motivated her from the start. “I saw that I could help people reach their highest potential. I began to work in a school with children with special needs,” said Rodriguez. “When they reached a goal, it warmed my heart! I love seeing progress and aiding the progress.”
As a wife and mother, Rodriguez had to balance many responsibilities and challenges. She struggled with anxiety and depression, but with the support of her family, she persevered through difficult times. “Some days were not easy. Without my family, I could not have done this. We have all sacrificed so much to get me to this point. I am forever appreciative,” shared Rodriguez.
Rodriguez shares this piece of advice for students who are still making their way through the program, “Enjoy the ride, enjoy the process, and have fun! Yes, it can be stressful and hard, but it’s not forever. Smile, be patient, and be ready to learn to change people’s lives.” Looking to the future, Rodriguez is excited to begin her career as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). She is confident that Occupational Therapy is the right career for her and is excited to see where it takes her. She plans to return to school in the future to get her bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation. In addition, she plans to have more children, grow as a wife and mother, and hopefully one day own her own business.
Despite facing setbacks, Rodriguez never gave up on her dreams and continued to work hard to achieve her goals. Her journey serves as an inspiration to others who may be struggling with their own career path.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re ready to boost your score on the NBCOT® exam, we invite you to contact Pass the OT today for more information.
