Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs in New York
Occupational Therapy Assistant jobs in New York represent one of the most active markets in the country, with steady demand across hospital systems, skilled nursing facilities, school districts, and outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and openings at every level from new graduate through senior clinician. Most hiring concentrates in New York City, Buffalo, and Albany, where large employers such as Northwell Health, NYU Langone Health, and the New York City Department of Education maintain a consistent presence. The most in-demand specialties are pediatric and school-based therapy, geriatric rehabilitation, and hand therapy. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 125+ Occupational Therapy Assistant jobs
Overview
As a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, you’ll help clients build skills for daily life by carrying out occupational therapy interventions under the direction of an occupational therapist. You’ll support patient care across settings and age groups, including pediatrics, geriatrics, and clients with disabilities or neurodevelopmental disorders. Your impact: By implementing individualized care plans, you help clients participate more safely and confidently in everyday activities.
Responsibilities
- Implement treatment plans and assist clients with activities of daily living (ADLs), using safe manual handling practices.
- Provide pediatric occupational therapy, including support for children with developmental delays and clients with autism.
- Communicate with clients and caregivers, collaborate with healthcare professionals, and document care accurately.
- Support patient transport and coordinate care needs, including when medical imaging is part of the care process.
- Adapt interventions to the care environment, which may include inpatient, acute care, outpatient, clinic, home health, occupational health, or skilled nursing facility settings.
Experience
- Required: Current certification as an Occupational Therapy Assistant and the ability to work under an occupational therapist’s direction.
- Knowledge of occupational therapy, anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology; clear client and caregiver communication skills.
- Experience with care plans, treatment plan implementation, patient care, ADLs, and care documentation is valuable.
- Preferred: Experience in acute care, pediatrics, geriatrics, inpatient care, skilled nursing, outpatient or clinic settings, or home health.
- Experience supporting individuals with disabilities, autism, developmental delays, or other neurodevelopmental disorders is an asset.
Pay: $35.85 - $45.36 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Continuing education credits
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Opportunities for advancement
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
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Find JobsOccupational Therapy Assistant Jobs by City in New York
Where New York roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in New York
A snapshot from current New York openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- PT+12P
- Sigma Health Rehab12
- Evolve Therapy Services10
- Preferred Therapy Solutions4
- @Home Therapy3
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Science & Research
What New York Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in occupational therapy assistant jobs across New York.
- Active New York State OTA license issued by the New York State Education Department
- Associate degree from a ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy assistant program
- Passing score on the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant examination
- Current CPR and Basic Life Support certification from an approved provider
- Experience with electronic health record systems such as Epic or Meditech
- Strong documentation skills and ability to work under supervising occupational therapist
Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs in New York: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a occupational therapy assistant in New York?
To become an occupational therapy assistant in New York, you must earn an associate degree from an ACOTE-accredited program, pass the NBCOT COTA examination, and obtain a license from the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions. New York requires licensure before you can practice, and your license must be renewed every three years with continuing education. Many accredited programs are offered at community colleges throughout the state, including LaGuardia Community College and Erie Community College.
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in New York?
Occupational therapy assistants in New York earn a median of about $68,530 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $49,050 for the lowest 10% to over $83,200 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire occupational therapy assistants in New York?
Employers hiring occupational therapy assistants in New York right now include PT+, Sigma Health Rehab, and Evolve Therapy Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. New York's large integrated health systems and extensive public school network create particularly consistent demand for COTAs across inpatient, outpatient, and school-based settings statewide.
Which New York cities have the most occupational therapy assistant jobs?
The cities with the most occupational therapy assistant openings in New York are Brooklyn, Bronx, and New York. New York City dominates due to its concentration of major hospital systems, rehabilitation centers, and the largest public school district in the country, while secondary markets like Buffalo and Albany are driven by regional health systems and state agency facilities serving aging and pediatric populations.
Are there remote occupational therapy assistant jobs in New York?
Yes, but they're rare. Occupational therapy assistant work is inherently hands-on, requiring direct patient contact for assessment and treatment, so most positions are on-site. About 0% of occupational therapy assistant openings tied to New York are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those roles tend to involve documentation support, telehealth consultation, or care coordination rather than direct clinical treatment.
How can I get hired as a occupational therapy assistant in New York with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to school-based therapy positions through the New York City Department of Education or suburban school districts, which commonly hire new graduates and provide structured mentorship under supervising occupational therapists. Large New York health systems such as Northwell Health and NewYork-Presbyterian also post new-grad roles in inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing. Completing your fieldwork hours at a well-regarded New York facility and obtaining your New York State COTA license before you apply gives you a meaningful edge over candidates who are still awaiting licensure.
Where can I find and apply to occupational therapy assistant jobs in New York?
You can find and apply to occupational therapy assistant jobs in New York on Migrate Mate, which lists current New York openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Find roles that fit your experience level, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to each one.
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