Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become an Occupational Therapist Occupational therapists must be sympathetic to clients' needs and concerns. To enter the occupation, occupational therapists typically need a master’s degree in occupational therapy. All states require occupational therapists to be licensed.
Education
Occupational therapists typically need a master’s degree in occupational therapy to enter the occupation. Admission to graduate programs in occupational therapy requires a bachelor’s degree, although it may not need to be in a particular subject. However, master’s degree programs frequently require applicants to have completed coursework in biology, psychology, and other sciences. Some programs also require applicants to have volunteered or worked in an occupational therapy setting. To learn about specific requirements, applicants should contact the program in which they are interested in enrolling. Master’s degree programs usually take 2 to 3 years to complete and typically include courses such as kinesiology, neuroscience, and anatomy. Additionally, these programs require a specified number of hours of supervised fieldwork during which prospective occupational therapists gain clinical experience. Some schools offer a dual-degree program in which the student earns a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree upon completion.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
All states require occupational therapists to be licensed. Licensing requirements vary by state, but at a minimum, candidates must pass a qualifying exam. To sit for the exam, candidates must have earned a degree from an accredited occupational therapy program that includes fieldwork. Therapists must pass the qualifying exam to use the title “Occupational Therapist Registered” (OTR). They also must complete a specified number of hours of continuing education to maintain state licensure and certification. Some employers require candidates to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or basic life support (BLS) certification. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 15 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 10,000 openings for occupational therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. 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. Employment 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. Occupational Therapists Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Occupational therapists 15% Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners 9% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Occupational Therapists Do
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.
Duties
Occupational therapists typically do the following:
- Evaluate clients' conditions by reviewing their medical history, interviewing them, and observing them perform various tasks
- Develop and implement treatment plans that have specific activities to help clients work toward their goals
- Help clients relearn and perform daily living tasks, such as teaching a person who has had a stroke how to get dressed
- Demonstrate exercises—for example, stretching the joints for arthritis relief—to help relieve clients’ pain
- Evaluate a client’s home, school, or workplace to identify potential accessibility improvements, such as labeling kitchen cabinets for an older person with poor memory
- Educate a client’s family about how to accommodate and care for them
- Recommend special equipment, such as mobility aids and eating aids, and instruct clients and families on how to use it
- Assess and record clients’ activities and progress for client evaluations, billing, and other purposes
Occupational therapists work with people who have permanent disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, and may need help with daily tasks. They recommend options and show clients how to use appropriate adaptive equipment, such as leg braces, wheelchairs, and eating aids. These devices help clients live their lives more independently.
Some occupational therapists work with children in inpatient, outpatient, or educational settings. They may provide early intervention therapy to infants and toddlers or work with school-aged children to encourage engagement, such as participating in academic activities.
Therapists who work with older adults help clients live independently and improve their quality of life. They assess clients’ abilities and environment and make recommendations to improve the clients’ everyday lives. For example, therapists may identify potential fall hazards in a client’s home and recommend their removal or help clients attend social outings.
Occupational therapists help clients create functional work environments. They evaluate the workspace, recommend modifications, and meet with the client’s employer to collaborate on changes to the client’s work environment or schedule.
Occupational therapists also may work in mental health settings, where they help clients who have developmental disabilities or mental health conditions. Therapists assist and educate clients on improving skills such as managing time, using public transportation, and doing household chores. In addition, therapists may work with individuals who have problems related to drug or alcohol abuse, depression, or trauma.
Some occupational therapists, such as those employed in hospitals, work as part of a healthcare team along with doctors, registered nurses, and other types of therapists, including physical therapists. They may work with patients who have chronic conditions, such as diabetes or arthritis, or help rehabilitate a patient recovering from a stroke or spinal cord injury. Occupational therapists also oversee the work of occupational therapy assistants and aides.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Occupational therapists held about 169,600 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of occupational therapists were as follows:
| 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 |
Occupational therapists typically work in healthcare settings. Some occupational therapists work in schools. Others travel to clients and work with them in their homes.
Injuries and Illnesses
Occupational therapists have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. They may be required to lift and move clients or heavy equipment, which can cause injuries. To limit the risk of injury, occupational therapists must use proper body mechanics and lifting technique.
Work Schedules
Most occupational therapists work full time, but part-time work is common. They may work nights or weekends, as needed, to accommodate clients’ schedules.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Adaptability. Occupational therapists must be accommodating when working with clients. They must be able to change treatment plans based on clients’ needs. Communication skills. Occupational therapists must listen closely to clients. They also must be able to explain treatment plans and goals to clients, clients’ families, and other members of the healthcare team. Compassion. Occupational therapists work with patients who may struggle with life’s daily activities. Because of this, they must be empathetic and sensitive to a client’s needs and concerns. Interpersonal skills. Occupational therapists spend much of their time interacting with clients and explaining treatment. They must be able to develop a rapport with clients. Patience. Occupational therapists work with clients who have problems with everyday activities. Therapists must remain calm in order to provide quality care.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about occupational therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.