Career Opportunities

Occupational therapists address physical, mental, emotional and developmental needs for clients of all ages. Moreover, occupational therapy jobs are available in a variety of areas including schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient service providers, home health, early intervention and academia.

Doctoral degrees are becoming increasingly necessary in order to meet the complex demands of healthcare. Occupational therapists will need to pursue doctoral education in order to compete and exert leadership in the educational and healthcare services arenas.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics*, the median pay for an occupational therapist in 2018 was $84,270 per year or $40.51 per hour. Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 24 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Occupational therapists with doctoral degrees can take a leadership role, effecting policies and strategies that help people with a variety of challenges including but not limited to:

• Autism
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Stroke
• Osteoarthritis
• Parkinson’s disease