Find Trade Colleges

Occupational Therapy Assistants in Colorado

Thinking about a career as an Occupational Therapy Assistants in Colorado? Below are the key facts. 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.

$68,650 Median Annual Wage (Colorado)

$29,426 National Median Annual Wage

910 Colorado Employment

Medium Preparation Needed Typical Preparation

What do Occupational Therapy Assistants Make in Colorado?

The occupational therapy assistants working in Colorado, wages run about $68,650 per year (or roughly $33.01/hour).Earnings range from $41,890 at the 10th percentile to $83,820 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$41,890	$20.14
25th percentile	$59,370	$28.55
Median (50th)	$68,650	$33.01
75th percentile	$75,820	$36.45
90th percentile	$83,820	$40.30

Salary ranges for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Colorado

The job concentration index in Colorado compared to the national average — is 1.01.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, occupational therapy assistants earn a median of $29,426 per year ($14.15/hour), exceeding the Colorado median.

Employment Outlook

National employment for 542,119 occupational therapy assistants nationwide. In Colorado alone, around 910 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 670 occupational therapy assistants.

Forecasted number of jobs for Occupational Therapy Assistants

Top Colorado Metros for Occupational Therapy Assistants

These are the Colorado metros with the most occupational therapy assistants in Colorado.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	490	$70,890
Colorado Springs, CO	150	$66,850
Pueblo, CO	70	$66,700
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	50	$73,500
Boulder, CO	40	$76,750

Top States for Occupational Therapy Assistants Employment

The table below shows the states where the most occupational therapy assistants work.

State	Number Employed
Texas	5,660
Florida	3,580
California	3,290
Ohio	3,150
New York	2,760
Illinois	2,230
Pennsylvania	2,010
North Carolina	1,620
Massachusetts	1,540
Tennessee	1,430
Indiana	1,280
Virginia	1,260
Georgia	1,220
Wisconsin	1,140
Michigan	1,130
Missouri	1,030
Arizona	930
Colorado	910
Connecticut	860
Oklahoma	830

Highest-Paying States for Occupational Therapy Assistants

Where occupational therapy assistants earn the most: occupational therapy assistants.

State	Annual Median Salary
California	$79,420
Texas	$77,910
Arkansas	$77,340
Maryland	$77,330
Nevada	$76,450
Washington	$76,010
Arizona	$75,020
Virginia	$73,870
Oregon	$73,580
South Carolina	$72,970

Skills

The most important occupational therapy assistants skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Active Listening 3.9 / 5

Service Orientation 3.9 / 5

Speaking 3.9 / 5

Social Perceptiveness 3.9 / 5

Reading Comprehension 3.6 / 5

Time Management 3.5 / 5

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Customer and Personal Service 4.7 / 5

Psychology 4.3 / 5

Education and Training 3.9 / 5

English Language 3.7 / 5

Therapy and Counseling 3.7 / 5

Public Safety and Security 3.4 / 5

Abilities

Key abilities for occupational therapy assistants, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Oral Expression 4.0 / 5

Oral Comprehension 4.0 / 5

Written Expression 3.8 / 5

Problem Sensitivity 3.8 / 5

Written Comprehension 3.6 / 5

Near Vision 3.5 / 5

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, occupational therapy assistants typically:

Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.
Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.
Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
Select therapy activities to fit patients' needs and capabilities.
Attend continuing education classes.
Aid patients in dressing and grooming themselves.
Evaluate the daily living skills or capacities of clients with physical, developmental, or mental health disabilities.
Communicate and collaborate with other healthcare professionals involved with the care of a patient.
Work under the direction of occupational therapists to plan, implement, or administer educational, vocational, or recreational programs that restore or enhance performance in individuals with functional impairments.

Work Activities

Documenting/Recording Information
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Assisting and Caring for Others
Thinking Creatively
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Performing General Physical Activities
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: eClinicalWorks EHR software, Facebook

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Programs that train for this career include:

Allied Health Services

Related occupations to occupational therapy assistants include:

Also Known As

Acute Care Occupational Therapy Assistant (Acute Care OT Assistant), Certified Occupational Assistant, Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Certified Travel OTA (Certified Travel Occupational Therapist Assistant), Home Health COTA (Home Health Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant), Independent Living Specialist, Licensed Occupational Therapist Assistant (LOTA), Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (LOTA), Nursing Facility COTA (Nursing Facility Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant), Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA), Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), Occupational Therapy Technician, Registered Therapist Assistant, Rehabilitation Assistant.

References

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
O*NET-SOC code: 31-2011.00

TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.