Healthcare career

Occupational Therapist

Also called: OT · OTR/L · Pediatric Occupational Therapist · Hand Therapist

What occupational therapists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does an occupational therapist do?

Occupational therapists help people of all ages develop, recover or maintain the skills needed for daily living and working, through therapy, adaptive equipment and environmental changes. The median pay is $100,330 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6–7 years, and employment is projected to grow +14.8% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $100,330
    $48.24/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +14.8%
    2025–35, much faster than average
  • Openings per year
    10,000
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Master's degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    6–7 years
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    169,600
    Employment, 2025

What occupational therapists do

Occupational therapists (OTs) help people do the activities that matter to them, such as dressing, cooking, working, learning and playing. They evaluate abilities, set goals, teach new ways to do tasks, recommend adaptive equipment and home changes, and help children with developmental needs. They work with stroke survivors, injured workers, older adults, children with autism and people with mental health conditions.

OTs need a master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy, pass the NBCOT exam and get a state license. BLS projects faster-than-average growth.

Typical duties

  • Evaluate patients’ abilities and needs
  • Set therapy goals
  • Teach daily living skills
  • Recommend adaptive equipment
  • Suggest home and workplace changes
  • Work with children on development
  • Track progress and adjust plans

Work environment and schedule

OTs work in hospitals, rehab centers, schools, nursing facilities, clinics and patients’ homes.

Schedule: Most work full-time during the day; some work evenings or weekends.

A day in the life

  1. Evaluate a stroke patient in the hospital.
  2. Practice dressing skills with a patient.
  3. Assess a kitchen for safety in a home visit.
  4. Work on handwriting with a child at school.

See a full day in the life of an occupational therapist →

Occupational Therapist salary

Half of occupational therapists earned more than $100,330 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $71,690 for the lowest 10% to $131,950 for the top 10%.

Full occupational therapist pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become an occupational therapist

  1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
  2. Get observation hours
  3. Complete an OT program
  4. Pass the NBCOT exam
  5. Specialize

A master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program is required, plus the NBCOT exam and a state license.

Step-by-step guide to becoming an occupational therapist →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Functional assessment
  • Activities of daily living training
  • Adaptive equipment
  • Splinting
  • Sensory integration

People skills

  • Creativity
  • Patience
  • Empathy
  • Communication

All occupational therapist skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Help people regain independence
  • Faster-than-average growth
  • Creative problem solving
  • Many settings

Cons

  • Graduate degree required
  • Physical demands
  • Documentation
  • Slow progress for some patients

Certifications and licenses

  • NBCOT certification (OTR): National certification.
  • State OT license: Required to practice.
  • Certified Hand Therapist (CHT): Hand therapy specialty.
  • AOTA board certification: Specialty credentials.

Career path

  1. Staff OT: Treat patients.
  2. Specialist OT: Specialize.
  3. Rehab Manager: Lead teams.
  4. Director or Faculty: Lead programs.

Learn the job before day one

Our Occupational Therapist training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as teach one-handed dressing and conduct a home safety assessment, safety and how to land your first job.

View Occupational Therapist trainingIs this career right for me?

Physical Therapist

Help people recover movement and manage pain after injury or illness.

  • $102,760
  • 7 years after high school

Special Education Teacher

Teach and support students with disabilities so they can learn and thrive.

  • $65,120
  • 4 years plus licensing

Compare: OT vs. OTA · OT vs. PT · OT vs. Speech Therapist · OT vs. Special Ed Teacher

Occupational Therapist FAQ

What’s the difference between OT and PT?

PTs focus on movement and mobility; OTs focus on daily activities and independence.

Do OTs need a master’s?

Yes, at least a master’s; many programs now award doctorates.

Is OT growing?

Yes, BLS projects faster-than-average growth.

How much does an occupational therapist make?

The median annual wage for occupational therapists was $100,330 ($48.24 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $71,690 and the highest 10% earned more than $131,950.

How long does it take to become an occupational therapist?

Most people need about 6–7 years of training. A master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program is required, plus the NBCOT exam and a state license.

Do you need a degree to be an occupational therapist?

Yes. BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry-level education, and you also need a state license to practice.

More occupational therapist questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Enroll in trainingTake fit quiz