Occupational Therapists

SOC code 29-1122 · O*NET-SOC 29-1122.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Healthcare

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation

Occupational therapy requires a master's or doctorate and a state licence, and the work — helping people regain daily living skills — spans schools, hospitals, home health and mental health. School-based roles trade some pay for the academic calendar.

Occupational 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

10th$71,690Median$100,33090th$131,950

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.

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 does an occupational therapist do?

Assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays. Use therapeutic techniques, adapt the individual's environment, teach skills, and modify specific tasks that present barriers to the individual.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients.
Complete and maintain necessary records.
Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate persons with disabilities because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems.
Plan and implement programs and social activities to help patients learn work or school skills and adjust to handicaps.
Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental or physical capabilities.
Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress.
Train caregivers in providing for the needs of a patient during and after therapy.
Lay out materials such as puzzles, scissors and eating utensils for use in therapy, and clean and repair these tools after therapy sessions.

How to become an occupational therapist

Most people in this role hold master's degree — 86% 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.

See all zone 5 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Master's Degree86%
Bachelor's Degree14%

Common questions

How much does an occupational therapist 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 an occupational therapist 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 occupational therapist 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 Listening4.1/5
Monitoring4.1/5
Reading Comprehension4.0/5
Writing4.0/5
Speaking4.0/5
Critical Thinking4.0/5

Knowledge areas

Therapy and Counseling4.7/5
Psychology4.5/5
Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
Medicine and Dentistry4.2/5
English Language4.1/5
Education and Training3.9/5
Biology3.5/5
Sociology and Anthropology3.2/5

Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Instructing, Judgment and Decision Making.