Also called: OT Aide, Rehabilitation Aide, Restorative Aide
Helps occupational therapists by setting up therapy rooms, preparing activities and helping patients practice everyday skills.
You set out putty, buttons and kitchen tools for the next patient, walk a stroke patient to the therapy gym, and clean equipment between sessions. You see people relearn how to dress and cook.
BLS OEWS May 2025 (10th / median / 90th percentile).
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma; trained on the job. Many aides are working toward an OT assistant or OT degree.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Occupational Therapy Assistant (community college), Kinesiology, Health Sciences.
Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years). BLS projects +3.6%, 2025-35; a small job with about 4,400 positions.
Medium risk for 10 years. Scheduling and paperwork get automated, so clinics need fewer aides; hands-on help with patients stays human.
Age 16+. One way to start: Ask outpatient OT clinics, pediatric therapy centers and nursing homes for an aide or rehab aide job
Classes: Biology, Health science CTE class, Psychology, Art or crafts class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 31-2012.
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