Occupational Therapist: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Occupational Therapists earn a national median of $98,340/yr with 13.8% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Psychology, English Language, Therapy and Counseling.

Median Salary

$98,340

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

13.8%

Faster than average

Employed Nationally

152,280

2024 data

Typical Education

Master's degree

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Occupational Therapist

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Occupational Therapist candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Active Listening 2 Speaking 3 Service Orientation 4 Reading Comprehension 5 Learning Strategies 6 Social Perceptiveness 7 Instructing 8 Monitoring 9 Writing 10 Active Learning

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Occupational Therapist performance, based on verified occupational data.

Psychology English Language Therapy and Counseling Education and Training Customer and Personal Service

Tools & Technologies

High-demand tools and technologies for Occupational Therapist roles.

eClinicalWorks EHR software Microsoft Visio

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 13.8% for Occupational Therapist roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's faster than average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
152,280
Projected Growth
13.8%
Typical Education
Master's degree

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Occupational Therapist do?
Occupational Therapists apply expertise in Psychology, English Language, Therapy and Counseling to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Active Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension.
How much does a Occupational Therapist make?
The national median salary for a Occupational Therapist is $98,340 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Occupational Therapist a good career in 2026?
Employment for Occupational Therapist roles is projected to grow 13.8% over the 2024–2034 decade — faster than average compared to all occupations. There are currently 152,280 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Occupational Therapist?
The typical entry-level education for a Occupational Therapist is Master's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Occupational Therapists need?
The most important skills for Occupational Therapist roles based on verified occupational data: Active Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension, Learning Strategies, Social Perceptiveness, Instructing, Monitoring, Writing, Active Learning. Key tools and technologies include: eClinicalWorks EHR software, Microsoft Visio.

Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?

Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.

Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.