Occupational Therapy Assistant

Employment opportunities
Once certified, you can work in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools, outpatient clinics, and home health care agencies.

Job outlook
Nationally, employment of COTAs is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. Occupational therapy strongly advocates the development of new types of jobs in community and wellness settings. Jobs are also available in the more traditional practice settings. New jobs and opportunities are being created today that will employ the skills you’ll learn. A large aging population is projected to bring increasing demands for specialized rehabilitation services. Today, besides the full-time jobs, there are numerous part-time jobs available for workers who need flexibility in their schedules.

Earning potential
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, assistants earned an average salary of about $30,000 nationally in 2002. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the national median salary for OTAs as $39,800 in 2005. Starting salaries vary geographically. In Champaign County, the entry level COTA earned an average of $39,775 in 2003.

Career advancement
The occupational therapy assistant may go on to become a senior staff therapist or clinical educator/course instructor for OTA students. Continuing education can lead to specialty certification in areas such as assistive technology specialist, program manager, community program facilitator, or wellness specialist. You can also work toward a master’s degree to become a registered occupational therapist.

Career choices with your degree:
• Community health COTA
• Hospital-based COTA
• Industrial rehabilitation COTA
• Nursing home activity director
• Outpatient rehabilitation COTA
• Program trainer for developmentally disabled
• School-based COTA
• Wellness program leader

With experience and/or further education you may go on to:
• Assistive technology specialist
• Early intervention practitioner
• Exercise trainer
• Hand therapy COTA
• Health educator
• Health care administrator
• Medical equipment specialist
• Qualified mental health professional
• Registered occupational therapist
• Vision services COTA