Occupational Therapist
Restore Daily Independence
Help Patients Recover
Improve Quality of Life
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - OT Track
Graduate
No degrees available
Post-Graduate
Occupational Therapy Doctorate
This is the educational pathway. There may be additional tests or licensure requirements necessary before begining to practice in the field. Consult your state guidelines for more. information.
Career Reality
Average Salary
The median annual wage for occupational therapists was $96,370 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job Market Demand
Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow about 12 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations, driven by aging populations and increased need for rehabilitation services.
Work Environment
Occupational therapists work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, nursing facilities, and outpatient therapy clinics. Some roles include home health visits.
Common Employers
Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, school districts, nursing homes, outpatient therapy clinics, and home health agencies.
Career Advancement
Advancement may include specialization in pediatrics, geriatrics, neurological rehabilitation, or leadership roles managing therapy programs.
Popular Titles
Core Areas of Impact
Is this career right for you?
What is the role of an occupational therapist?
An occupational therapist helps individuals develop, recover, or maintain the skills needed for daily living and work activities. Therapy focuses on improving physical, cognitive, and motor functioning.
What does a typical day look like?
A typical day includes evaluating patients, developing therapy plans, guiding rehabilitation exercises, teaching adaptive techniques, and monitoring patient progress.
Where do occupational therapists work?
Occupational therapists work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, nursing facilities, outpatient therapy clinics, and home health settings.
What is the difference between an occupational therapist and a physical therapist?
Both professionals help patients recover after injury, illness, or disability, but their focus is different. Physical therapists concentrate on improving strength, movement, balance, and overall physical mobility. Occupational therapists focus on helping patients perform daily activities such as dressing, writing, cooking, or returning to work by improving functional skills and adapting environments when necessary.
What are the common job titles and career paths?
Common roles include Pediatric Occupational Therapist and Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist. Career paths may lead to specialization, therapy program leadership, or advanced clinical practice.
Who is this career a good fit for?
This career suits individuals who enjoy working closely with people, solving practical challenges, and helping others regain independence after injury or illness.
What are the biggest rewards of this career?
Rewards include meaningful patient impact, strong job demand, diverse work environments, and the opportunity to improve everyday functioning for patients.
What does long-term growth look like?
Long-term growth may include specialization in areas such as hand therapy, neurological rehabilitation, pediatrics, or leadership roles within rehabilitation programs.
What is the educational pathway to become an occupational therapist?
To become an occupational therapist, you must complete prerequisite undergraduate coursework, earn a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program, complete supervised clinical fieldwork, and pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy examination to obtain licensure.
Sara Schenirer offers a BA in Psychology – OT Track, which includes the prerequisite coursework required for occupational therapy doctoral programs. Students can then continue into the Doctorate in Occupational Therapy offered in partnership with the Katz School of Science and Health at Yeshiva University, providing a direct academic pathway into the profession.
The standard pathway includes completion of undergraduate prerequisites, graduation from an accredited occupational therapy doctoral program, clinical fieldwork, national certification, and state licensure.
