An occupational therapist (OT) is a healthcare professional who helps individuals of all ages regain, develop, or maintain the skills needed for daily living and work. Their role is not only vital in rehabilitation but also in ensuring people can live as independently and productively as possible. Within organizations such as hospitals, schools, or rehabilitation centers, occupational therapists improve efficiency by helping patients recover faster, support collaboration by working closely with physicians and caregivers, and enhance strategy execution by aligning treatment plans with long-term patient goals.
In essence, occupational therapists play a key role in bridging medical treatment with practical, everyday life, empowering individuals to live with dignity, independence, and purpose.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
Other credible source for comparison:
Salaries vary by specialty, location, years of experience, and employer type. Nonetheless, occupational therapy remains a well-compensated and in-demand healthcare profession.
Education
Key Skills
Experience
Optional Certifications
Occupational therapists play a vital role in improving patient independence and supporting organizational efficiency by ensuring individuals can perform daily tasks effectively.
Key Responsibilities:
Occupational therapists are in demand across a wide range of industries, as their expertise helps individuals regain independence and improve daily functioning.
Job Outlook & Salary Note:
The demand for occupational therapists is projected to grow steadily, with salaries varying by sector. Those employed in healthcare facilities often earn higher wages, while school and nonprofit roles may offer lower pay but provide strong community impact.
Here’s a clear, aspirational roadmap for occupational therapy professionals—from entry-level roles to leadership positions. Salaries are based on recent data and may vary by location, experience, and setting.
Entry-Level: Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
Supports OTs in delivering therapy and helping patients with daily activities—great for foundational experience.
Typical salary range: ~$65,000/year (varies by state and clinical setting)
Mid-Level: Occupational Therapist (OT)
Licensed therapists who assess clients, design treatment plans, and lead interventions to promote independence.
Median salary (May 2024): $98,340/year (BLS)
Ranges: Lower 10% around $67,090; upper 10% above $129,830
Specialist Roles (e.g., Pediatrics, Hand Therapy, Geriatrics)
Focus on niche populations or techniques, often requiring additional certifications.
Salary: Often higher than generalist roles due to specialization and demand.
Senior-Level: Lead or Supervising Occupational Therapist
Oversees therapy teams, manages caseloads, mentors junior staff, and ensures compliance with clinical standards.
Estimated salary: $100,000–$115,000/year (varies by location and organization)
Manager/Director of Rehabilitation Services
Responsible for supervising therapy departments, budgeting, and integrating services across disciplines.
Average salary: ~$122,610/year
Build Strong Communication Skills
Clear communication with patients, families, and colleagues helps ensure treatment plans are understood and applied effectively.
Develop Emotional Intelligence
Empathy and patience are essential to connect with clients, especially when progress feels slow or challenging.
Stay Curious and Keep Learning
Healthcare evolves quickly—continuously updating your knowledge keeps your methods relevant and effective.
Balance Compassion with Professional Boundaries
Supporting patients emotionally is vital, but maintaining boundaries protects both your well-being and theirs.
Prioritize Time Management
Managing multiple caseloads efficiently ensures every client receives consistent, high-quality care.
Foster Collaboration
Working closely with physicians, nurses, and social workers enhances treatment outcomes and strengthens organizational teamwork.
Embrace Technology
Adapting to new therapy tools, digital platforms, and documentation software makes you more efficient and valuable.
Lead by Example
Demonstrating professionalism and integrity daily builds trust and opens doors for leadership opportunities.
Invest in Self-Care
Your energy directly impacts your patients—maintaining physical and mental health sustains long-term career success.
Physical Therapists
Orthotic and Prosthetic Specialists
Speech-Language Pathologists
Rehabilitation Counselors
Physician Assistants
Recreational Therapists
Athletic Trainers
Music Therapists
Art Therapists
Nurse Anesthetists
Do you have what it takes to be an occupational therapist? If you possess the qualities listed below, then you might want to consider entering the field of occupational therapy.
Because occupational therapists are problem solvers, they are genuinely helpful. They help and inspire their patients in almost all aspects of their lives. This is a profession that helps people perform daily activities throughout their lifespan through therapeutic treatments.
You will never get bored if you are an occupational therapist. You will be working with patients of all ages, each having different conditions — from helping toddlers improve their cognitive skills, their motor skills, and sensory processing to decrease the impending developmental delays to helping elderly patients with dementia through behavioral interventions. Every day is a different day for occupational therapists.
Occupational therapists need to be creative when developing programs for their patients. You have to think of different ideas to make your patients participate and engage in the programs that you have developed. You can help your patients, in your own unique and creative way, on how they can deal with their exhausting recovery. Also, you can solve problems that need immediate attention by exploring different solutions and ideas in treatment activities and using creativity.
Having patience in dealing with patients is one of the most important personal traits an occupational therapist should have. Some patients can become frustrated, moody, aggressive, pessimistic, and even suicidal after an injury, while some patients also deal with mental health problems. This causes a patient to be impatient and easily irritated during the therapy. It may sometimes take months or years for a patient to get into a routine.
Thinking about pursuing a career in occupational therapy? In this section, you will learn the process of becoming successful in the occupational therapy field.
Aspiring occupational therapists must earn a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy and also take up coursework such as biology, psychology, sociology, kinesiology, health science, and physiology.
If you want to become a successful occupational therapist, you can pursue your master’s degree after completing your bachelor’s degree. Finishing a master’s degree usually takes 2 to 3 years and then you can proceed with the doctoral program that takes about 3 to 4 years.
There is an option where students can earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degree at the same time by enrolling in the dual-degree program that some schools offer. These dual-degree programs usually take 5 years. There are some courses in the program than you can attend on weekends and at night.
Students are required to complete the fieldwork required for both master’s and doctoral programs. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA) documents, there are 2 levels that govern the length and types of fieldwork.
For Level I Fieldwork, every program sets the length of time requirement for each student, thus, there is no minimum required number of hours. This is designed for students to have firsthand experience in the field as an occupational therapist and how they will deal with patients or clients.
For Level II Fieldwork, a 24-week of supervised fieldwork is required for full-time occupational therapy students in which they gain work experience. Also, a 16-week capstone experience is required for students taking doctoral programs. This is to help students develop advanced skills, focusing on the area of practice they want to hone in their professional careers.
The occupational therapist licensing requirements vary from state to state. Currently, all 50 states including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam require occupational therapists to obtain the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification to be able to perform their job.
Aspiring occupational therapists who want to take the NBCOT exam must have first earned an occupational therapy degree from an accredited educational program and completed all the fieldwork requirements. You will also have to pay a fee to apply for a license to the state or jurisdiction where you will acquire the license and practice.
Occupational therapists who passed the NBCOT exams will earn the title “Occupational Therapist, Registered” (OTR). However, the NBCOT certification is valid for only 3 years. One must submit a renewal application on the year you are up for renewal, preferably in the month of January to March. Failing to submit a renewal will prohibit you to continue your practice and your certification status will change from Active in Good Standing to Noncompliant-Inactive.
Visit the following pages of the American Occupational Therapy Association for further details about the licensure of occupational therapy:
State OT Statutes and Regulations
State Occupational Therapy Regulatory Authority Contact Information
Interstate Professional Licensing Compact
Having an AOTA Board Certification or Specialty Certification will help you advance in your career. This shows evidence of your commitment and dedication to your profession as an occupational therapist, specifically in your chosen certification area. Successful AOTA certification applicants are eligible to use this credential for 5 years and can be renewed.
There are nine (9) certification areas:
Board Certification:
Specialty Certification:
The NBCOT requires the students to graduate from an ACOTE-accredited program in order to become eligible in taking the NBCOT certification examination.
Listed below are the institution accredited by ACOTE which offer entry-level doctoral programs in the US:
Arizona:
A.T. Still University, Arizona School of Health Sciences Mesa, AZ
Northern Arizona University Phoenix, AZ
Arkansas:
Arkansas State University-Jonesboro Jonesboro, AR
California:
Samuel Merritt University Oakland, CA
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-California Campus San Marcos, CA
West Coast University-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
Florida:
Gannon University – Florida Campus Ruskin, FL
Nova Southeastern University-Tampa Tampa, FL
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-Florida Campus St. Augustine, FL
Indiana:
Huntington University Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana Wesleyan University Marion, IN
University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
Iowa:
Drake University Des Moines, IA
St. Ambrose University Davenport, IA
Massachusetts:
Boston University, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Sargent College) Boston, MA
MGH Institute of Health Professions Boston, MA
Missouri:
Washington University St. Louis, MO
Nebraska:
Creighton University Omaha, NE
Nevada:
Touro University Nevada Henderson, NV
Ohio:
Kettering College Beavercreek, OH
Ohio State University Columbus, OH
The University of Toledo Toledo, OH
Oregon:
Pacific University Hillsboro, OR
Pennsylvania:
Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA
Thomas Jefferson University-Center City Campus Philadelphia, PA
University of the Sciences Philadelphia, PA
South Dakota:
University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD
Tennessee:
Belmont University Nashville, TN
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN
Texas:
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-Austin Campus Austin, TX
Virginia:
Mary Baldwin University, Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences Fishersville, VA
Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
Listed below are the institution accredited by ACOTE which offer entry-level master’s programs in the US:
Alabama
Alabama State University Montgomery, AL
Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL
University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL
University of South Alabama Mobile, AL
Arizona:
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, Arizona School of Health Sciences Mesa, AZ
Midwestern University-Glendale Campus Glendale, AZ
Arkansas:
University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR
California:
California State University, Dominguez Hills Carson, CA
Dominican University of California San Rafael, CA
Loma Linda University Health Loma Linda, CA
Samuel Merritt University Oakland, CA
San Jose State University San Jose, CA
Stanbridge University Irvine, CA
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-California Campus San Marcos, CA
West Coast University-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
Colorado:
Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO
Connecticut:
Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT
Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CT
Delaware:
Wesley College Dover, DE
District of Columbia:
Howard University Washington, DC
Trinity Washington University Washington, DC
Florida:
AdventHealth University Orlando, FL
Barry University Miami Shores, FL
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, FL
Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL
Florida International University Miami, FL
Keiser University-Ft. Lauderdale Campus Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Nova Southeastern University Ft. Lauderdale, FL
University of Florida Gainesville, FL
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-Florida Campus St. Augustine, FL
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-Miami Campus Coral Gables, FL
Georgia:
Augusta University Augusta, GA
Brenau University Gainesville, GA
Brenau University, North Atlanta-Norcross Campus Norcross, GA
Georgia State University Atlanta, GA
Idaho:
Idaho State University Pocatello, ID
Illinois:
Chicago State University Chicago, IL
Elmhurst College Elmhurst, IL
Governors State University University Park, IL
Midwestern University-Downers Grove Campus Downers Grove, IL
Rush University Chicago, IL
University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
Indiana:
Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN
Indiana University Indianapolis, IN
University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN
Iowa:
Allen College Waterloo, IA
Kansas:
University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City, KS
Kentucky:
Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY
Spalding University Louisville, KY
Louisiana:
Louisiana State University Health New Orleans New Orleans, LA
Louisiana State University Health Shreveport Shreveport, LA
University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA
Maine:
Husson University Bangor, ME
University of New England Portland, ME
University of Southern Maine at Lewiston-Auburn College Lewiston, ME
Maryland:
Towson University Towson, MD
Massachusetts:
American International College Springfield, MA
Bay Path University-East Longmeadow Campus East Longmeadow, MA
Regis College Weston, MA
Salem State University Salem, MA
Springfield College Springfield, MA
Tufts University Medford, MA
Worcester State University Worcester, MA
Michigan:
Baker College Center for Graduate Studies Flint, MI
Davenport University Grand Rapids, MI
Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI
Grand Valley State University Grand Rapids, MI
Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI
Wayne State University Detroit, MI
Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
Western Michigan University, Grand Rapids Campus Grand Rapids, MI
Minnesota:
College of St. Scholastica Duluth, MN
St. Catherine University St. Paul, MN
University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN
University of Minnesota, Rochester Campus Rochester, MN
Mississippi:
The University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, MS
Missouri:
Cox College Springfield, MO
Maryville University St. Louis, MO
Missouri State University Springfield, MO
Rockhurst University Kansas City, MO
Saint Louis University St. Louis, MO
University of Missouri Columbia, MO
Washington University St. Louis, MO
Nebraska
College of Saint Mary Omaha, NE
Nebraska Methodist College Omaha, NE
Nevada:
Touro University Nevada Henderson, NV
New Hampshire:
MCPHS University-Manchester Campus Manchester, NH
University of New Hampshire Durham, NH
New Jersey:
Kean University Hillside, NJ
Seton Hall University Nutley, NJ
Stockton University Galloway, NJ
New Mexico:
University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM
New York:
Clarkson University Potsdam, NY
Columbia University New York, NY
Dominican College Orangeburg, NY
D’Youville College Buffalo, NY
Hofstra University Hempstead, NY
Ithaca College Ithaca, NY
Keuka College Keuka Park, NY
Le Moyne College Syracuse, NY
Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus Brooklyn, NY
Mercy College Dobbs Ferry, NY
Nazareth College Rochester, NY
New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, NY
New York University New York, NY
Sage Colleges Troy, NY
State University of New York Downstate Medical Center Brooklyn, NY
Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY
Stony Brook University-Southampton Southampton, NY
Touro College Bay Shore, NY
Touro College-Manhattan New York, NY
University at Buffalo, State University of New York Buffalo, NY
Utica College Utica, NY
York College, The City University of New York Jamaica, NY
North Carolina Concord, NC
East Carolina University Greenville, NC
Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory, NC
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
Winston Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC
North Dakota:
University of Mary Bismarck, ND
University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND
Ohio:
Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH
Shawnee State University Portsmouth, OH
University of Findlay Findlay, OH
Walsh University North Canton, OH
Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
Oklahoma:
Northeastern State University Muskogee Campus Muskogee, OK
University of Oklahoma at Schusterman Health Sciences Center Tulsa, OK
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City, OK
Pennsylvania:
Alvernia University Reading, PA
Chatham University Pittsburgh, PA
Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA
Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown, PA
Gannon University Erie, PA
Messiah College Mechanicsburg, PA
Misericordia University Dallas, PA
Saint Francis University Loretto, PA
Salus University Elkins Park, PA
Temple University Philadelphia, PA
Thomas Jefferson University-Center City Campus Philadelphia, PA
Thomas Jefferson University-East Falls Campus Philadelphia, PA
University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA
University of Scranton Scranton, PA
University of the Sciences Philadelphia, PA
Puerto Rico:
University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus San Juan, PR
Rhode Island:
New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich, RI
South Carolina:
Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SC
Tennessee:
Belmont University Nashville, TN
Milligan College Milligan College, TN
Occupational Therapy Department Nashville, TN
University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis, TN
Texas:
Abilene Christian University Abilene, TX
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Lubbock, TX
Texas Woman’s University Denton, TX
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-Austin Campus Austin, TX
University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, TX
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX
Utah:
The University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
Virginia:
Emory and Henry College-Marion Campus Marion, VA
James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
Radford University Radford, VA
Radford University Carilion (formerly Jefferson College of Health Sciences) Roanoke, VA
Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
Shenandoah University-Scholar Plaza Campus Leesburg, VA
Washington:
Eastern Washington University Spokane, WA
University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA
University of Washington Seattle, WA
West Virginia:
West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
Wisconsin:
Carroll University Waukesha, WI
Concordia University Wisconsin Mequon, WI
Mount Mary University Milwaukee, WI
University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse LaCrosse, WI
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI
Wyoming:
University of North Dakota at Casper College Casper, WY
Occupational therapists can work in different settings. You can find them in hospitals, offices of occupational therapy, community centers, home health services, nursing homes, residentiary homes, general practice (GP) surgeries, and in daycare and health centers— the job is out there.
The easiest and fastest way of finding occupational therapist job openings is through online job postings. You can find job postings in job search websites and also in social media groups. Here are some:
The AOTA is the national professional association of occupational therapy practitioners and students. You can use their OTJobLink to find job listings and employers that are currently hiring occupational therapists.
The people in your same network in the occupational therapy field can also be a big help for you to land a job. Build your network by joining professional associations like American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
You can also find groups in social media websites like Facebook:
Crafting a resume as an occupational therapist requires highlighting both clinical expertise and transferable soft skills. Employers in 2025 look for candidates who can balance patient care with adaptability, collaboration, and familiarity with modern healthcare tools. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you stand out:
Start with a short, tailored statement that reflects your passion for patient care and professional growth.
Example: “Compassionate and results-driven occupational therapist with 3+ years of clinical experience, seeking to apply evidence-based interventions to improve patient independence and quality of life.”
Highlight both clinical and soft skills with measurable outcomes.
List your degrees and relevant coursework.
Include credentials that boost credibility.
Select supervisors, clinical mentors, or professors who can vouch for your clinical and interpersonal abilities. Always ask permission before listing.
Preparing for an occupational therapist interview goes beyond knowing clinical skills—it’s about demonstrating leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. Below are some of the most common interview questions, along with explanations of why they’re asked and sample responses to help you prepare.
Why they ask: Employers want to assess leadership ability, initiative, and how you motivate others.
Sample Answer: “During my clinical rotation, I led a team of student therapists to design a rehabilitation program for stroke patients. I delegated roles, coordinated schedules, and ensured documentation was submitted on time. The program improved patient participation by 20%, and our supervising OT praised our teamwork.”
Why they ask: Conflict is inevitable in healthcare. They want to see how you apply conflict resolution skills constructively.
Sample Answer: “When a colleague disagreed with my therapy approach, I scheduled a one-on-one discussion to understand their perspective. We combined our methods into a hybrid plan, which not only resolved tension but also improved patient outcomes.”
Why they ask: This reveals decision-making skills and ethical reasoning.
Sample Answer: “I once had to decide whether to extend a patient’s therapy program despite insurance limitations. I consulted with the care team and presented evidence-based benefits. The decision led to an approved extension and significant functional progress for the patient.”
Why they ask: Time management is critical for balancing efficiency and patient care.
Sample Answer: “I prioritize based on patient acuity and goals. I also use digital tools like Notion to track sessions and progress, which helps me stay organized and responsive to shifting needs.”
Why they ask: Employers want to understand if you value measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.
Sample Answer: “I measure success through patient progress milestones, functional independence achieved, and patient satisfaction scores. I also track my productivity metrics to ensure efficiency without compromising care.”
Sharpen your skills in occupational therapy by taking these top online courses
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