Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary – Growth Prospects
An occupational therapist assistant typically works under the supervision of a licensed Occupational therapist and helps patients with the rehabilitation activities involving instruments and equipments. He helps and monitors the patient towards recovery with the help of specific exercises. The annual wages for this entry-level job are around $50,000, according to the statistics provided during the year 2009.
Variables affecting the salary
The occupational therapy assistant salary may also depend on the state in which he is working. Different states have varying regulations and criteria for employment and the salary is also different. Even in the same state, the salary may vary according to the kind of establishment in which the therapist is employed. However, it might be less in a general medical and surgical hospital or in elementary and secondary schools. They can also work on a part-time basis or an hourly basis, where the salary is around $30 per hour.
Place and institutions of work
The occupational therapy assistant can also work in other establishments other than those mentioned above. He could work in management companies and other enterprises and also in outpatient care settings. There are also many psychiatric hospitals and centers where they treatment is given for substance abuse. Specialty hospitals also offer jobs with a high occupational therapy assistant salary.
Importance of location
The location or the work spot is also important in case of assessing the occupational therapy assistant salary. There are some states in the US that are known for the highest employment in this category. These are states, such as Ohio, California, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. The top paying states also include New Jersey, Nevada and Maryland, California and Texas, where you can get an average annual salary of around $65,000. These figures are calculated based on the data obtained from many employers in different types of industrial sections of the various states.
Employment prospects
It is expected that there is a rapid growth in the occupational therapy assistant salary, both for assistants and as aides. It is better to get the relevant Associate degree qualification if you wish to keep ahead in the race, as having only a high school diploma may not be enough. The sector is expected to grow at a faster rate, as there are increasing numbers of patients with disabilities who are dependent on the therapists to provide them with full functionality and help them become independent. There is also an increasing aging population, with weakening conditions and are badly in need of therapy and assistance to help them keep mobile. This makes the role of the occupational therapy assistant very significant and will naturally lead to an increase in the occupational therapy assistant salary. The baby boomers are also contributing to the growing need for this kind of assistance.
The occupational therapy assistant can expect a big boom in his job prospects. If he acquires the required skills, he stands to get a good job and a satisfying salary, due to the increasing demand for such type of assistance. The occupational therapy assistant salary will depend on many factors, such as location, kind of institution and his qualifications.