How much does a occupational therapist make?

The median pay is $48.24 per hour — roughly $100,500 a year, with the real range running from about $34.47/hr (10th percentile) to $63.44/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a occupational therapist?

The typical entry-level education is: Master's degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

What does a occupational therapist actually do all 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.

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Occupational Therapists

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.

What it pays
Occupational Therapists earn a median of $48.24/hr — about $100,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $34.47/hr; the top 10% earn $63.44/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

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.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Master's degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

The feel of the work

Much of the work happens outdoors; it rewards working independently. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 2.2% of occupational therapists are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are people-focused, analytical and hands-on.

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Quick questions

How much does a occupational therapist make?: The median pay is $48.24 per hour — roughly $100,500 a year, with the real range running from about $34.47/hr (10th percentile) to $63.44/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a occupational therapist?: The typical entry-level education is: Master's degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
What does a occupational therapist actually do all 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.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.