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HealthcareTop JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

Annual openings

145

Median wage

$75,340

Typical education

An associate’s degree or a one-year certificate program

Growth 2026–2032

+17%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

An associate’s degree or a one-year certificate program

Credential requirement

A certification is required for this job.

Credential detail

To practice, you will need to be certified as an occupational therapy assistant by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

Work experience

Entry-level

Experience detail

This is an entry-level role so no experience in a Healthcare environment is required. However, full or part-time work experience of any kind developing the listed knowledge and abilities is preferred, with previous Healthcare and Customer Service experience being valued.

Training

To practice, you will need to successfully complete an educational program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

Employer competency information

Feedback from employers identifies the following critical competencies and how they apply for this job

  • Communication and Interpersonal Skills — Working very closely with other team members and patients is critical. It will be very important to understand, connect with, communicate to, and provide instructions to patients, regardless of their background or circumstances.
  • Customer Focus — Providing excellent customer service is critical, reimbursements are based on patient feedback and outcomes.
  • Critical & Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving & Decision Making — An important skill in developing and implementing patient care plans.
  • Psychology — Understanding patients is important in order to be able to motivate them to make positive changes.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
  2. Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.
  3. Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.
  4. Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
  5. Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
  6. Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
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