Occupational Therapy Assistants
The short answer
This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 521 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a quarter of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
This job is in the second least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.
AI can help with or automate about 36% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.
AI could do much of this on its own
Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
AI could do much of this on its own
Select therapy activities to fit patients' needs and capabilities.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Attend continuing education classes.
AI could do much of this on its own
Attend care plan meetings to review patient progress and update care plans.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Aid patients in dressing and grooming themselves.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Physical Therapist Assistants
Very similar workslightly less pay880 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$65,719 vs your $70,270 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires an associate's degree.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Oral Expression
- Education and Training
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Biology
Massage Therapists
Similar workslightly less pay1,434 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$64,212 vs your $70,270 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Speaking
- Oral Expression
- Psychology
New skills to build
- Sales and Marketing
- Dynamic Strength
- Economics and Accounting
Radiation Therapists
Similar work+90% pay64 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 90% more—$133,250 vs your $70,270 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires an associate's degree.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Psychology
New skills to build
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Operation and Control
- Biology
Physical Therapists
Somewhat similar work+47% pay1,011 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 47% more—$103,479 vs your $70,270 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a doctoral or professional degree.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Education and Training
- Therapy and Counseling
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Physics
- Biology
- Sales and Marketing
- Operations Analysis
Respiratory Therapists
Somewhat similar work+58% pay517 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 58% more—$110,829 vs your $70,270 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires an associate's degree.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Psychology
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Chemistry
- Science
- Mathematics
- Physics
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay4,407 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$69,060 vs your $70,270 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Psychology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Active Listening
New skills to build
- Coordination
- Mathematics
- Medicine and Dentistry