The median pay for Occupational Therapists is $100,330 a year ($48.24/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 14.8% through 2035, with about 10,000 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.
- SOC 29-1122
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Occupational Therapist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $100,330a year, or $48.24/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $72KTop 10% $132K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +14.8%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+14.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +14.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 10,000169,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025169.6K
- Projected 2035194.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 169.6K Projected 2035 194.8K - Typical education
- Master'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Bachelor's13.6%
- Master's86.4%
Highest education held by occupational therapists Segment Value Bachelor's 13.6% Master's 86.4%
Also advertised as: Assistive Technology Trainer, Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), Early Intervention Occupational Therapist, Home Health Occupational Therapist, Industrial Rehabilitation Consultant, Occupational Therapist (OT).
Pay
How much do occupational therapists make?
Occupational Therapists earn a median of $100,330 a year ($48.24 an hour, or about $8,360 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $71,690 and the top 10% more than $131,950 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is California, with a median of $124,510. See Occupational therapist salary in California and every other state. By city, pay is highest around San Jose ($137,450 average): salary in every city. Choosing between jobs? Compare pay side by side in OT vs PT.
Every occupational therapist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$100,330
Middle half earn $82,510 to $116,670
- 10th
- $71,690
- 25th
- $82,510
- 75th
- $116,670
- 90th
- $131,950
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $71,690 |
| 25th | $82,510 |
| Median | $100,330 |
| 75th | $116,670 |
| 90th | $131,950 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $100,330
- Median hourly wage
- $48.24/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $101,280
- People employed
- 162,450
Versus all US occupations
At $100,330, Occupational Therapists earn 97% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $49,350 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
The median is typical for the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $102,760.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $131,950 or more while the bottom 10% earn $71,690, a gap of 1.8×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 72% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($124,510), but once local prices are taken into account Arkansas leads at $122,341 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay occupational therapists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $124,510 | $112,455 | 13,810 |
| 2Oregon | $112,310 | $108,658 | 1,170 |
| 3Nevada | $110,520 | $110,543 | 1,080 |
| 4District of Columbia | $109,170 | $99,335 | 540 |
| 5Washington | $107,670 | $100,614 | 3,340 |
| 6Maryland | $106,980 | $101,926 | 2,390 |
| 7Colorado | $106,720 | $103,559 | 3,390 |
| 8Arkansas | $106,360 | $122,341 | 2,160 |
| 9Texas | $106,140 | $109,358 | 13,400 |
| 10Oklahoma | $104,300 | $118,735 | 1,180 |
Job outlook
Is occupational therapist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +14.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapists | +14.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Occupational Therapists to change 14.8% over 2025–2035, roughly 4.2× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 25,200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 10,000 openings are projected each year, 5.9% of the 169,600 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demand for occupational therapists is expected to rise as the size of the older adult population grows. Older adults are more likely than younger people to experience disabilities and limitations in doing everyday tasks. Therefore, more occupational therapists will be needed to help these clients maintain their independence and the ability to perform daily activities.
In addition, occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various conditions and disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, stroke, or the loss of a limb. Occupational therapy also will continue to be used to treat children and young adults with developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder.
AI exposure: high
BLS places this occupation in its high relative AI exposure category, above the middle of the pack: a substantial share of the work overlaps with what AI can do.
Getting in
How to become an occupational therapist
Occupational therapists enter the profession with either a master's or a doctoral degree from an ACOTE-accredited program, then pass the NBCOT certification exam to become an Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR), then obtain a license from their state. There is no mandate requiring the doctorate.
The credential path, step by step
- Complete a bachelor's degree with the required science coursework4 years
The bachelor's does not need to be in a particular subject, but master's programs frequently require completed coursework in biology, psychology and other sciences, and some require prior volunteer or paid experience in an occupational therapy setting.
- Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited entry-level program2 to 3 years for a master's
Entry is at either master's or doctoral level. There is no ACOTE mandate to move to the doctorate: institutions may run a master's program, a doctoral program, or both, and graduates of either are eligible for the NBCOT exam.
- Complete the supervised fieldwork built into the program
Accredited programs require a specified number of hours of supervised fieldwork. Having completed fieldwork inside an accredited program is part of what makes you eligible to sit the exam.
- Pass the NBCOT certification exam to earn the OTR credential
Passing confers the Occupational Therapist Registered title. Candidates educated outside the US must first be approved through NBCOT's Occupational Therapist Eligibility Determination (OTED) process.
- Apply for a state license, then maintain both credentials
Licensure requirements vary by state but a passing exam score is the minimum everywhere. After that, keep the state license current with state-set continuing education and renew NBCOT certification every three years with 36 units.
Exams you have to pass
NBCOT OTR certification examination
Taken after graduating with an entry-level occupational therapy degree from an ACOTE-accredited program. Passing it is what allows you to use the title Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR), and states require it as the qualifying exam for licensure.
Administered by National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
- How long the training takes
2 to 3 years
Master's degree programs usually take 2 to 3 years after a bachelor's degree and include a specified number of hours of supervised fieldwork. Entry-level doctoral programs are the alternative route.
- Continuing education
Required to stay credentialed
Two separate clocks run. State license renewal requires a number of continuing-education hours set by that state. NBCOT certification renews on a three-year cycle and requires at least 36 units, earned as professional development units and/or competency assessment units.
- Program accreditation
ACOTE · Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
You must graduate from an ACOTE-accredited program to be eligible for the NBCOT certification exam. Students in a developing program that fails to gain accreditation are not eligible and must transfer to an accredited program to qualify.
Licensing and state variation
Licensed state by state
All states require a license and, at minimum, a passing score on the qualifying exam, so the exam is constant. What differs is the state application process and the number of continuing-education hours each state sets for renewal. Degree level is not a state variable: ACOTE accredits both master's and doctoral entry-level programs and both are routes into practice.
Who governs the credential
- National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
Administers the national certification exam and awards and maintains the OTR credential that states rely on for licensure.
Credential detail for occupational therapists is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Occupational Therapists (How to Become One) · checked August 23, 2026
- ACOTE, Student Resources (Student FAQ: Program Accreditation Status) · checked August 23, 2026
- NBCOT, Eligibility · checked August 23, 2026
- NBCOT, Renew · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
To enter the occupation, occupational therapists typically need a master’s degree in occupational therapy. All states require occupational therapists to be licensed.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Master's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Extensive preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as occupational therapists.
- Master's Degree86.4%
- Bachelor's Degree13.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | 86.4% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 13.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
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.
Occupational therapists evaluate and treat people who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities. They help clients meet goals to develop, recover, improve, and maintain skills needed for daily living and working.
Day-to-day tasks
- 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.
- 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.
- Consult with rehabilitation team to select activity programs or coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most occupational therapists work full time, but part-time work is common. They may work nights or weekends, as needed, to accommodate clients’ schedules.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where occupational therapists work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists28%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private26%
- Educational services; state, local, and private13%
- Home healthcare services8%
- Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities)7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 28% |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 26% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 13% |
| Home healthcare services | 8% |
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 7% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening4.1
- Monitoring4.1
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Writing4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Learning3.9
- Learning Strategies3.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.1 |
| Monitoring | 4.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Service Orientation4.1
- Social Perceptiveness4.0
- Instructing4.0
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0
- Coordination3.8
- Time Management3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.3
- Operations Analysis3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Service Orientation | 4.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.0 |
| Instructing | 4.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.0 |
| Coordination | 3.8 |
| Time Management | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.3 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Billing and invoicing software
- Computer based training software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Device drivers or system software
- Electronic mail software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as an occupational therapist?
Women make up 92.4% of occupational therapists, against 47.1% of all employed people: a female-dominated occupation.
19.6% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs.
The median worker is 41.9 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 92.4%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 41.9All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 19.6%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 138,000BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of occupational therapists | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 92.4% | 47.1% |
| White | 89.9% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 3.9% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 3.8% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.8% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 19.6% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 1.4% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an occupational therapist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Occupational Therapist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 6 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Social6.1
- Investigative4.2
- Realistic3.6
- Conventional3.1
- Artistic3.1
- Enterprising1.8
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapist compared with
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician
$265,930median a year
Most earn $69K to $452K
+3.4%Doctorate - Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More healthcare practitioners and technical careers
Median annual pay, with occupational therapists highlighted
- Anesthesiologist$391,490
- Physician Assistant$135,880
- Nurse Practitioner$132,300
- Physical Therapist$102,760
- Occupational Therapist$100,330
- Dental Hygienist$98,100
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer$96,590
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician$80,110
- Surgical Technologist$64,650
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist | $391,490 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,330 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 |
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician | $80,110 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Occupational Therapist appears on
Questions
Occupational Therapist: frequently asked questions
How much do occupational therapists make?
Occupational Therapists earn a median of $100,330 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 97% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $48.24/hr. The middle half earn between $82,510 and $116,670. The top 10% earn $131,950 or more.
How much do occupational therapists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for occupational therapists is $48.24 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $100,330 annual median works out to about $8,360 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for an occupational therapist?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of occupational therapists earn less than $71,690 a year and the bottom quarter less than $82,510 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Do occupational therapists make $100k?
Yes, more often than not. The median is $100,330, so more than half of occupational therapists earn over $100,000 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). In 21 states the median itself is above $100,000: California ($124,510), Oregon ($112,310), Nevada ($110,520), District of Columbia ($109,170), and 17 more.
Which states pay occupational therapists the most?
The highest state medians for Occupational Therapists are California ($124,510), Oregon ($112,310), Nevada ($110,520) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Arkansas moves to the top at $122,341.
What kind of occupational therapist earns the most?
BLS does not split occupational therapists' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $131,950, against a median of $100,330 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are California ($124,510), Oregon ($112,310), Nevada ($110,520).
Do you need a degree to become an occupational therapist?
Yes. BLS reports a master's degree as the typical entry-level education for Occupational Therapists, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as extensive preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 86.4% hold master's degree.
Is occupational therapist a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 14.8% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 10,000 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an occupational therapist do?
Occupational therapists evaluate and treat people who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities. A core O*NET task: test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients. Employers most often ask for Medical software, Office suite software, Spreadsheet software.
Do occupational therapists work 40 hours a week?
Yes, for most. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 41% of occupational therapists usually work more than 40 hours a week, 55% work exactly 40 and 5% work fewer. 86% say their schedule is regular and 14% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits an occupational therapist?
O*NET scores Occupational Therapists highest on the Social, Investigative and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISFP, INFJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
How long does it take to become an occupational therapist?
2 to 3 years. Master's degree programs usually take 2 to 3 years after a bachelor's degree and include a specified number of hours of supervised fieldwork. Entry-level doctoral programs are the alternative route.
Do you need a license to work as an occupational therapist?
Yes, and it is issued by the state you work in, not nationally. All states require a license and, at minimum, a passing score on the qualifying exam, so the exam is constant. What differs is the state application process and the number of continuing-education hours each state sets for renewal. Degree level is not a state variable: ACOTE accredits both master's and doctoral entry-level programs and both are routes into practice.
What exams do you have to pass to become an occupational therapist?
The NBCOT OTR certification examination. Taken after graduating with an entry-level occupational therapy degree from an ACOTE-accredited program. Passing it is what allows you to use the title Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR), and states require it as the qualifying exam for licensure.
What percentage of occupational therapists are women?
Women make up 92.4% of occupational therapists, against 47.1% of all employed people: a female-dominated occupation. 19.6% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs. The median worker is 41.9 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages.