Occupational therapy aides
SOC Code: 31-2012
Occupational therapy aides carries a 19% AI exposure score (Low automation risk), with a median annual wage of $37,370 and +2.5% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 5,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Occupational therapy aides (SOC 31-2012) carries an AI exposure score of 19%, placing it in the Low automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 5,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +2.5% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $37,370, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Occupational therapy aides. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Encourage patients and attend to their physical needs to facilitate the attainment of therapeutic goals.
- 2. Report to supervisors or therapists, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, attendance, and accomplishments.
- 3. Evaluate the living skills and capacities of clients with physical, developmental, or mental health disabilities.
- 4. Observe patients' attendance, progress, attitudes, and accomplishments and record and maintain information in client records.
- 5. Prepare and maintain work area, materials, and equipment and maintain inventory of treatment and educational supplies.
- 6. Transport patients to and from the occupational therapy work area.
- 7. Instruct patients and families in work, social, and living skills, the care and use of adaptive equipment, and other skills to facilitate home and work adjustment to disability.
- 8. Assist occupational therapists in planning, implementing, and administering therapy programs to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance, using selected activities and special equipment.
- 9. Demonstrate therapy techniques, such as manual and creative arts and games.
- 10. Manage intradepartmental infection control and equipment security.
Key Skills Required
- Service Orientation
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Active Listening
- Coordination
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Complex Problem Solving
Knowledge Areas
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Public Safety and Security
- Administrative
- Administration and Management
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Occupational therapy aides?
Occupational therapy aides has an AI exposure score of 19%, indicating a low level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Occupational therapy aides?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Occupational therapy aides is projected to grow by 2.5% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 5,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Occupational therapy aides?
Key skills for Occupational therapy aides include Service Orientation, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Occupational therapy aides earn?
The median annual wage for Occupational therapy aides is $37,370, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Occupational therapy aides?
The typical entry-level education for Occupational therapy aides is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Occupational therapy aides?
Occupational therapy aides roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Low automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
Explore More on PlainWorkforce
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).