Occupational Therapy Career Opportunities

EKU Online > Online Occupational Therapy Degrees > Occupational Therapy Career Opportunities

Occupational Therapy Career Outlook

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*, employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 16 percent from 2019 to 2029, 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

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Occupational Therapy Career Information

National

Median Annual Salary
$86,280/year
16% growth increase thru 2029
Masters degree typically required.

Local

Estimated Base Salary
Updated May 2021
$51,616/year
Highest paying cities for occupational therapists in Kentucky:
Edgewood, KY
$87,189
Clinton, KY
$83,981
Lexington, KY
$82,661
Bachelor typically required for entry-level positions

*National job opportunities data is based on national medians and figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational outlook handbook.
*Local job opportunities data is based on estimated base pay and figures from Indeed.com.

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