What Occupational Therapists do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Occupational Therapists this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Complete and maintain necessary records"; "Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress"; "Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients"; "Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental or physical capabilities"; "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".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is master's degree.
Job outlook for Occupational Therapists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 169,600 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 194,800 in 2035, an increase of 25,200 jobs (+14.8%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 10,000 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 5.9% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $100,330, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Occupational Therapists earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $97,020 in New York to $101,677 in New Jersey, a gap of $4,657 (1.05 times). 1 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $100,330 and 1 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 16,180, which is 50.4% of the 32,080 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 15,900.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($101,677) and New York ($97,020) lead the ranking, while New York ($97,020) and New Jersey ($101,677) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Occupational Therapists
Physical Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (29-1000) include General Internal Medicine Physicians, Pharmacists, Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners.
Frequently asked questions about Occupational Therapists
What is the national median wage for Occupational Therapists?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $100,330. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $97,020 to $101,677.
Which state pays Occupational Therapists the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $101,677. New York is next at $97,020.
What is the job outlook for Occupational Therapists?
BLS projects employment to grow by 14.8% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 10,000 openings a year.
What education do Occupational Therapists need?
The typical entry-level education is master's degree, according to BLS.