Clinics use software for scheduling, documentation and home exercise programs. Occupational therapy assistants and aides still work hands-on with patients, helping them relearn everyday tasks such as dressing, eating and getting around after illness or injury.
The short answer: AI exposure is low and demand is rising fast. The ILO's 2025 index rates physiotherapy technicians and assistants, the closest group, as not exposed with a score of 0.17. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 21 percent growth for occupational therapy assistants from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, and about 8,600 openings a year for assistants and aides together. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed OT assistants are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapy Technicians and Assistants | Not exposed | 0.17 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so this is the closest group for occupational therapy assistants, not a score for the job title itself.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational therapy assistants | Grow 21% | In total |
| Occupational therapy aides | Grow 4% | In total |
| Total for the group | Grow 20% | About 8,600 |
The BLS says demand for occupational therapy is likely to grow with the healthcare needs of an aging population, because older adults are more prone to conditions such as arthritis and strokes that affect everyday activities. Its outlook does not mention AI.
Where AI is helping
- Drafting session notes and progress reports.
- Scheduling and reminders.
- Building home exercise handouts.
- Tracking progress across sessions.
What stays with OT assistants
- Hands-on therapy: guiding patients through tasks and exercises.
- Adapting in the moment: changing an activity when a patient struggles or tires.
- Encouragement: keeping people motivated through slow recovery.
- Checking AI help: drafted notes and handouts can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
Documentation tools can cut paperwork, leaving more time with patients. The core of the job is in-person work with people. This page is general information, not medical or career advice.
See also will AI replace occupational therapists?, will AI replace physical therapists? and will AI replace home health aides?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants and aides at $70,800 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The BLS says the education needed to enter varies; its profile explains the routes in. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace occupational therapy assistants?
Not on current evidence. The closest ILO group is not exposed, and the BLS projects 21 percent growth from 2025 to 2035.
Why is OT assistant employment growing?
The BLS points to the healthcare needs of an aging population and conditions such as arthritis and strokes.
How many OT assistant openings are expected?
The BLS projects about 8,600 openings a year for assistants and aides together.
What OT work stays human?
Hands-on therapy, adapting activities in the moment, encouragement and checking AI-drafted notes.