Help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working.
Pay
$68,530
Lower reported wage
$98,340
Median
$129,830
Upper reported wage
Annual U.S. salaries. Actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience. The lower and upper figures do not represent starting and senior salaries.
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Earn a bachelor’s degree and check each occupational therapy graduate program’s prerequisites. Biology, psychology, and other sciences are common; some programs also seek observation or work experience.
Complete an accredited occupational therapy program, typically a 2–3-year master’s after the bachelor’s degree. Programs include supervised fieldwork.
Pass the qualifying exam and meet the licensing requirements of the state where you plan to practice. Continuing education applies to license and certification maintenance.
All states require licensure. Eligibility for the qualifying exam requires an accredited program with fieldwork; passing the exam also permits the OTR title. Continuing education is required to maintain licensure and certification.[1]
Search CareerOneStop by occupation and state, then confirm the rules with the issuing agency. Coverage is incomplete; an empty result does not mean no license is required.
Graduate programs include supervised fieldwork. The BLS profile does not establish whether an individual fieldwork placement is paid; ask the program.[1]
Costs to check before enrolling
Compare prerequisite courses, graduate tuition after aid, fieldwork travel or housing, examination and licensing fees, and the time available for paid work.
Planning questions: request a written estimate from each program or sponsor. A total cost has not been verified here.
Majors and routes to explore
A related major can be preparation; it does not by itself qualify you for the career.
The professional graduate route; confirm that a specific program is accredited and includes the fieldwork needed for the qualifying exam.[1]
Daily life
What you would do
Assess how illness, injury, or disability affects everyday tasks, build activity-based plans, recommend adaptations, and track progress toward independence.[1]
Where you could work
Hospitals, therapy offices, schools, nursing facilities, and clients’ homes. Some roles involve traveling between clients.[1]
Hours and flexibility
Most work full time, although part-time work is common. Nights or weekends may be needed to fit clients’ schedules.[1]
Physical and emotional demands
Therapists spend long periods on their feet and may lift clients or equipment. Safe movement techniques help limit injury risk.[1]
How you could advance
Occupational therapy work spans pediatrics, older adults, mental health, and rehabilitation. Moving into a new focus may require additional training or employer experience.[1]
These are possible directions. Promotion timing and pay depend on the role and employer.
Questions to ask yourself and an employer
Would I enjoy helping someone regain everyday skills through repeated practice?
Which setting would suit me: hospital, school, clinic, or home visits?
