Assistant vs aide: OT assistants and aides, PT assistants and aides
BLS describes assistants and aides as different jobs. Occupational therapy assistants and physical therapist assistants typically need an associate’s degree from an accredited program and a license or certification. Aides typically need a high school diploma and are trained on the job, and BLS says aides typically are not licensed or regulated. BLS reports separate assistant and aide wages; the Quick Facts figure combines both.
Quoted from official pages checked November 10, 2026. Confirm current requirements, fees, and dates on those sites. This page is not legal advice and does not guarantee eligibility, certification, or licensure.
Occupational therapy assistants vs aides
BLS’s occupational therapy assistants and aides page, checked November 10, 2026 (“Last modified date: August 27, 2026”), states: “Occupational therapy assistants typically need an associate’s degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program. Occupational therapy assistants usually need a state-issued license. Occupational therapy aides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and receive training on the job.”
On duties, it states: “Occupational therapy aides do select or routine tasks, such as preparing treatment rooms, under the direction of occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants.” It says assistants “work with occupational therapists to help clients develop, improve, and maintain everyday skills.”
On licensure, it states: “Licensure requires completing an accredited occupational therapy assistant education program, fieldwork, and passing an exam.” And: “Occupational therapy aides typically are not regulated by state law.”
On training, it states: “Occupational therapy aides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. They are trained on the job under the supervision of experienced assistants or aides.”
BLS pay, labeled as BLS labels it:
- Assistants only: “The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants was $72,300 in May 2025.”
- Aides only: “The median annual wage for occupational therapy aides was $39,160 in May 2025.”
- Combined assistants and aides (Quick Facts “2025 Median Pay”): $70,800 per year. This is not an assistant-only figure.
BLS’s Advancement section states: “Occupational therapy assistants may advance by gaining additional education and becoming occupational therapists.” It also says aides may advance “With additional education and licensure”. This page adds nothing to what BLS states.
Physical therapist assistants vs aides
BLS’s physical therapist assistants and aides page (“Last modified date: August 27, 2026”) states: “Physical therapist assistants entering the occupation typically need an associate’s degree from an accredited program and a license or certification. Physical therapist aides usually need a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training.”
On duties, it states: “Physical therapist assistants are involved in the direct care of patients.” And: “Physical therapist aides often have tasks that are indirectly related to patient care, such as cleaning and setting up the treatment area, moving patients, and doing clerical duties.” It also states: “Physical therapist aides are supervised by physical therapists or physical therapist assistants. The tasks that physical therapist aides are allowed to do vary by state.”
On licensure, it states: “All states require physical therapist assistants to be licensed or certified.” And: “States do not require physical therapist aides to be licensed.”
BLS pay, labeled as BLS labels it:
- Assistants only: “The median annual wage for physical therapist assistants was $68,380 in May 2025.”
- Aides only: “The median annual wage for physical therapist aides was $35,240 in May 2025.”
- Combined assistants and aides (Quick Facts “2025 Median Pay”): $61,200 per year. This is not an assistant-only figure.
The BLS PTA page checked has no advancement statement about aides, so none is given here.
Speech-language pathology
BLS does not publish an SLP aide page, so there is no SLP section here. For SLP assistants, see how to become an SLPA.