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Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kentucky

Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kentucky

Thinking about a career as an Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kentucky? Here’s what the data says. 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.

What do Occupational Therapy Assistants Make in Kentucky?

The occupational therapy assistants working in Kentucky, the median annual wage is $65,980 per year (or about $31.72/hour).Annual wages span from $48,380 at the 10th percentile to $78,660 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $48,380 $23.26
25th percentile $60,150 $28.92
Median (50th) $65,980 $31.72
75th percentile $72,920 $35.06
90th percentile $78,660 $37.82
Salary ranges for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kentucky

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Kentucky compared to the national average — is 0.89, meaning fewer occupational therapy assistants per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

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

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 542,119 occupational therapy assistants nationwide. In Kentucky alone, around 550 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 670 occupational therapy assistants.

Forecasted number of jobs for Occupational Therapy Assistants

Top Kentucky Metros for Occupational Therapy Assistants

The metro areas below employ the most occupational therapy assistants in Kentucky.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN 220 $65,980
Lexington-Fayette, KY 60 $64,260
Owensboro, KY 40 $63,110

Top States for Occupational Therapy Assistants Employment

View the states that employ 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

The highest-paying states for 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

Top occupational therapy assistants skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Active Listening  3.9 / 5
0
5
Service Orientation  3.9 / 5
0
5
Speaking  3.9 / 5
0
5
Social Perceptiveness  3.9 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  3.6 / 5
0
5
Time Management  3.5 / 5
0
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
0
5
Psychology  4.3 / 5
0
5
Education and Training  3.9 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.7 / 5
0
5
Therapy and Counseling  3.7 / 5
0
5
Public Safety and Security  3.4 / 5
0
5

Abilities

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

Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Written Expression  3.8 / 5
0
5
Problem Sensitivity  3.8 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  3.6 / 5
0
5
Near Vision  3.5 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

  • 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

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: eClinicalWorks EHR software, Facebook

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Programs that train for this career include:

  • Allied Health Services

Other careers like 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

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