Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists
SOC code 29-1122 · O*NET-SOC 29-1122.01 · Extensive preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$100,330
a year
Hourly
$48.24
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$101,280
$48.69 per hour
Middle 50%
$82,510 – $116,670
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$71,690 – $131,950
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
162,450
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Occupational Therapists”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $71,690
- $34.47/hr
- 25th percentile
- $82,510
- $39.67/hr
- Median percentile
- $100,330
- $48.24/hr
- 75th percentile
- $116,670
- $56.09/hr
- 90th percentile
- $131,950
- $63.44/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+14%
Growing much faster than average
160,000
jobs in 2024
182,100
projected for 2034
About 22,100 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do low vision therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, and vision rehabilitation therapists do?
Provide therapy to patients with visual impairments to improve their functioning in daily life activities. May train patients in activities such as computer use, communication skills, or home management skills.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Teach cane skills, including cane use with a guide, diagonal techniques, and two-point touches.
- Recommend appropriate mobility devices or systems, such as human guides, dog guides, long canes, electronic travel aids (ETAs), and other adaptive mobility devices (AMDs).
- Train clients with visual impairments to use mobility devices or systems, such as human guides, dog guides, electronic travel aids (ETAs), and other adaptive mobility devices (AMDs).
- Develop rehabilitation or instructional plans collaboratively with clients, based on results of assessments, needs, and goals.
- Write reports or complete forms to document assessments, training, progress, or follow-up outcomes.
- Train clients to use tactile, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, and proprioceptive information.
- Assess clients' functioning in areas such as vision, orientation and mobility skills, social and emotional issues, cognition, physical abilities, and personal goals.
- Teach clients to travel independently, using a variety of actual or simulated travel situations or exercises.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold master's degree — 57% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Master's Degree57%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate22%
- Bachelor's Degree17%
- Post-Master's Certificate4%
Common questions
How much does a low vision therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, and vision rehabilitation therapists earn?
The national median is $100,330 a year. The full range runs from $71,690 at the 10th percentile to $131,950 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a low vision therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, and vision rehabilitation therapists without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is low vision therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, and vision rehabilitation therapists in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 14% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Learning Strategies4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Writing3.8/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
- Monitoring3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language4.3/5
- Education and Training4.2/5
- Psychology3.8/5
- Transportation3.7/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.6/5
- Therapy and Counseling3.5/5
- Public Safety and Security3.4/5
- Sociology and Anthropology3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Instructing, Service Orientation.