Shigoto Zukan
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How to become occupational therapy aideseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Caregiving Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$39,160
25th–75th pct. $35,920–$46,780
Top pay (est.)
$91,300
Top 10% $70,200
Pay in 5 years
$45,900est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$53,800est.
$46,300–$62,500
Outlook score
57/100
★★★☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
17%
Very low
Job growth (10 yr)
+3.6%
600 openings / yr

How to become occupational therapy aides

Typical education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS
Related experience
None
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Occupational Therapy Aides

Key skills

Service Orientation
3.8
Active Listening
3.6
Social Perceptiveness
3.5
Speaking
3.5
Reading Comprehension
3.4
Critical Thinking
3.4
Monitoring
3.1
Coordination
3.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Psychology
4.5
Computers and Electronics
4.1
Therapy and Counseling
4.0
Customer and Personal Service
4.0
Administrative
3.9
English Language
3.8
Education and Training
3.4
Medicine and Dentistry
3.0

What the work involves

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsAssisting and Caring for OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicHandling and Moving Objects

Important abilities

Oral ComprehensionOral ExpressionProblem SensitivitySpeech ClarityWritten ExpressionDeductive Reasoning

Education of workers

High school diploma
37%
Some college
24%
Post-secondary certificate
9%
Professional degree
2%

Training before entry

Up to 1 month
59%
1–3 months
32%
None / short demo
4%
3–6 months
4%

Related work experience

None
37%
1–3 months
16%
1–2 years
15%
6–12 months
11%
2–4 years
9%
Up to 1 month
8%
3–6 months
5%

Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as occupational therapy aides

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.