Occupational Therapist

Explore This Path

Help individuals regain independence through personalized therapeutic programs.
Make a meaningful impact by restoring daily living skills to those with disabilities.
Use creative techniques to adapt environments and overcome unique challenges.

💰 Earn $99K-$129K

📚 Master Degree

⏱️ 48 MONTH TRAINING

📈 11.1% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

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.

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 those impaired 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.

Scoop

Minimum Education

Master Degree

Career Prospects

Excellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

Over 4 years

Job Openings

9,800 Annually

Median Earnings

$112,390 in California

$96,370 Nationally

$25K

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$250K

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Relating with or serving others
Thinking and problem solving

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Service Orientation
Social Perceptiveness
Speaking

You value 🙏

Accomplishing things
Job security
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Occupational Therapist

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years