An occupational therapist’s career can be rewarding as it involves helping individuals perform meaningful everyday activities.1 Not only is becoming an occupational therapist a rewarding career, it offers a promising salary. As of May 2024, the U.S. employed almost 150,500 occupational therapists who earned an average annual salary of $98,340.2
Considering those benefits and career prospects, how do you become an occupational therapist?
In this post, we walk you through what is required to complete your occupational therapy education, how long it takes, specialty opportunities and more. With these steps to become an occupational therapist, you’ll know what it takes to launch your career as an exceptional occupational therapist.
Table of Contents:
- What Is Occupational Therapy?
- What Do Occupational Therapists Do?
- What Skills Do You Need to Be an Occupational Therapist?
- What Are the Benefits of Becoming an Occupational Therapist?
- What Are Occupational Therapy Job Opportunities?
- How Much Do Occupational Therapists Make?
- Occupational Therapist Specialty Opportunities
- Five Steps to Become an Occupational Therapist
- How USAHS Can Help You Prepare to Be an Exceptional Occupational Therapist
What Is an Occupational Therapist?
Occupational therapists (OTs) use their skills to assist clients with different cognitive or physical conditions that limit their capacity to perform day-to-day activities.1 When you become an OT, you help clients participate in important activities, or occupations, of daily life.
OTs apply their ingenuity to find customized adaptive movements and technologies that help clients participate more fully in occupations like work, play, leisure, education and social interaction. OTs also work with clients on activities of daily living (ADLs), such as eating, bathing and getting dressed.1
What Do Occupational Therapists Do?
Occupational therapists work with people of all ages with different cognitive and physical capabilities.1 An occupational therapist begins by communicating with the client, teachers, family or caregivers to better understand their needs.
Next, the occupational therapist assesses the client’s physical, sensory, emotional and cognitive capacities to develop goals and a treatment plan. From here, the client and the OT work together to develop and improve skills. While working toward the stated goals, the client and OT regularly evaluate the client’s progress.1
After becoming an occupational therapist, your responsibilities may include:1
- Helping clients learn new ways to perform ADLs
- Supporting clients in creating a daily routine, learning memory tips and problem-solving
- Teaching clients how to use adaptive equipment
- Working with clients who have developmental and cognitive conditions
- Teaching clients how to prevent falls and making the home safer and more accessible
- Helping clients return to school, work and other activities
- Training family and caregivers
One of the prime differences between physical therapy and occupational therapy is that OTs help clients gain or regain the ability to perform daily activities independently, and physical therapists help clients improve their ability to move and manage pain.
What Do You Need to Become an Occupational Therapist?
Schooling for occupational therapy, like at an institution such as USAHS, will teach you how to do a hands-on assessment and train you with the skills to perform treatment. OTs often have strong communication skills and know how to work effectively in teams. They are usually creative problem-solvers and design customized solutions for clients. They also often have empathy for their clients and display flexibility and patience.
OTs work with people with cognitive and physical challenges. While this can sometimes be stressful, it’s important to practice patience, compassion and kindness to help your clients reach their goals.
What Are the Benefits of Becoming an Occupational Therapist?
Occupational therapy is a field that continues to grow, with a projected 9,800 job openings per year.3 Many employers offer flexible part-time or PRN (as needed) work. Working as an OT is also rewarding because you help people improve their quality of life. Once you complete schooling for occupational therapy and earn your degree, you can build your creative niche within the field or open a private practice.
What Are Occupational Therapy Job Opportunities?
The job market for OTs has a projected growth of 11% by 2033.3 In addition to growing job opportunities, occupational therapists are able to work in various settings.
The most recent data shows that most OTs work in state, local and private hospital settings.4 After hospital settings, the most common workplaces for OTs are the offices of audiologists and physical, occupational and speech therapists.
| Work Environment | Percentage 4 |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local and private | 29% |
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists and audiologists | 28% |
| Elementary and secondary schools; state, local and private | 12% |
| Home healthcare services | 8% |
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 7% |
The profession of an occupational therapist was also ranked #8 in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Health Care Jobs list.5
How Much Do Occupational Therapists Make?
The median annual pay for occupational therapists in the United States is $98,340.2 How much you make when you become an occupational therapist may vary based on your industry. For example, pediatric occupational therapists make an average salary of $69,988,6**** while OTs in home healthcare services make an average of $110,460.7
When you become an occupational therapist, you may want to consider relocating. Some states pay more than others, but it’s also helpful to consider the cost of living. Here are the average annual wages for each state for occupational therapists:
| State | Annual Mean Wage8 |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $95,250 |
| Alaska | $101,700 |
| Arizona | $101,360 |
| Arkansas | $100,490 |
| California | $117,120 |
| Colorado | $106,590 |
| Connecticut | $101,120 |
| Delaware | $95,610 |
| Florida | $97,230 |
| Georgia | $95,690 |
| Hawaii | $97,120 |
| Idaho | $86,650 |
| Illinois | $96,850 |
| Indiana | $92,800 |
| Iowa | $91,200 |
| Kansas | $93,540 |
| Kentucky | $91,070 |
| Louisiana | $89,320 |
| Maine | $82,940 |
| Maryland | $100,860 |
| Massachusetts | $96,790 |
| Michigan | $86,200 |
| Minnesota | $88,430 |
| Mississippi | $91,120 |
| Missouri | $90,360 |
| Montana | $88,270 |
| Nebraska | $89,730 |
| Nevada | $110,320 |
| New Hampshire | $85,760 |
| New Jersey | $107,600 |
| New Mexico | $102,560 |
| New York | $98,980 |
| North Carolina | $91,170 |
| North Dakota | $82,730 |
| Ohio | $94,480 |
| Oklahoma | $102,140 |
| Oregon | $108,430 |
| Pennsylvania | $93,950 |
| Rhode Island | $96,800 |
| South Carolina | $92,310 |
| South Dakota | $82,560 |
| Tennessee | $93,100 |
| Texas | $103,150 |
| Utah | $92,310 |
| Vermont | $87,840 |
| Virginia | $99,710 |
| Washington | $105,160 |
| Washington D.C. | $107,690 |
| West Virginia | $93,100 |
| Wisconsin | $88,780 |
| Wyoming | $90,960 |
Occupational Therapist Specialty Opportunities
As you learn how to become an OT, you may consider working toward certification in a specialty area. Popular occupational therapy specialties include physical rehabilitation, driving and community mobility, gerontology, pediatrics and mental health.
Keep in mind that most specialties require significant job experience. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) proposes 3,000 hours in the certification area.9
5 Steps to Becoming an Occupational Therapist
If this career sounds promising, then let’s discuss the steps to become an occupational therapist. You may wonder: How long does it take to become an occupational therapist? To become a licensed OT, you will need to complete a graduate-level occupational therapist program and pass certification exams.10
While completing your occupational therapist education, you will have fieldwork assignments and required supervised tasks.11 Each state has different licensure requirements, so determine what you need to do for the state where you’ll be working.
Below are 5 steps to becoming an occupational therapist:
1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
The first step to become an occupational therapist is to earn a bachelor’s degree in a relevant area, such as biology, health science or psychology. If you wish to become an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) rather than an OT, you need an associate’s degree in OT. For OTAs seeking an MOT degree, USAHS offers an OTA to MOT bridge program.
2. Complete Prerequisites
One of the most important steps to becoming an occupational therapist is completing the prerequisites for your graduate degree. To apply for a USAHS program, complete a prerequisite check to find the specific courses needed before applying to our graduate programs.12 You can also find prerequisite details on our MOT and OTD admission pages.
The prerequisites for our MOT and OTD programs include the following:
| Course | Semester Hours | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy and Physiology with Lab: Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II, General Human Anatomy, General Human Physiology |
8 | 12 |
| Sociology or Anthropology: Sociology, Anthropology, Sociocultural Anthropology, Biological Anthropology |
3 | 4.5 |
| Human Growth and Development (Lifespan) | 3 | 4.5 |
| Abnormal Psychology | 3 | 4.5 |
| Statistics | 3 | 4.5 |
| Medical Terminology | * | * |
3. Choose a Graduate Program
Once you have completed the prerequisites, one of the next steps to becoming an occupational therapist is to choose a graduate degree program. Pursue a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD). In addition to the required coursework, the curriculum for both programs will include the fieldwork hours you need to sit for the certification exam. USAHS now offers an so OTAs can earn an MOT in as little as two years.**
There are different career opportunities for each path. With your MOT, you can become a clinician and work with people of all ages to help them improve their quality of life by overcoming cognitive and physical challenges. With an OTD, you still have the opportunity to become a clinician, but the additional coursework in the program prepares you to work in expanded roles, such as leadership, policy development, advocacy and research.
USAHS also offers a Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD). This degree is for practicing OTs with either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in occupational therapy who are looking to expand their occupational therapist qualifications and knowledge. The PPOTD offers advanced studies in research skills, practice skills, administration, leadership, program development and education.
To choose an OT program that’s right for you, check out these 15 questions you should ask to help find a school that fits your needs.
4. Become Certified
After earning an MOT or OTD, you must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. In the steps to become an occupational therapist, this certification is required to be licensed to practice in the United States.13
5. Obtain State Licensure
Once you pass the NBCOT, get licensed in the state where you choose to practice. Licensing requirements may vary by state. Consult your state’s regulatory agency for more information about finishing one of the very last steps to becoming an occupational therapist.14
USAHS Can Help Prepare You to Be an Exceptional Occupational Therapist
What education is needed in the process of becoming an occupational therapist? USAHS has a range of options for you to choose from. After you’ve completed your bachelor’s degree, pursue an MOT or OTD program at our Florida campuses, California campus, or our Texas campuses. And for occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) without a bachelor’s degree, we offer admission to our MOT program through an OTA to OT Bridge Program that lets you earn your Master of Occupational Therapy in as little as two years without any additional coursework.** Additionally, we offer a PPOTD program.
At USAHS, study alongside expert faculty-practitioners and benefit from state-of-the-art simulation centers where you can leverage our high-tech tools and practice with mock clients. Once you graduate, you’ll join the largest community of practicing OT alumni.***
To become an occupational therapist and launch your career, apply today.
*Applicants may complete the requirement through CEU credit with certificate of completion or transcript, standard credit bearing course with transcript, CLEP with official score report or course completed through USAHS and provide evidence of completion.
** Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.
*** Based on total MOT and OTD degrees conferred during 2020-2023, as reported by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS); data is captured through interrelated surveys conducted annually by the Department of Education’s National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), and from USAHS’ internal graduation data.
**** The information provided on this website is based on self-reported data and is intended for general informational purposes only. PayScale is a limited data source that relies on voluntary submissions from individuals and employers. Please be aware that the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of the data may vary due to its voluntary nature and limited scope. While efforts are made to maintain the data’s accuracy, we cannot guarantee its absolute correctness or currency.
Salary data may not reflect starting pay for recent graduates.
Sources:
- American Occupational Therapy Association, “What is occupational therapy?” AOTA, 2025, https://www.aota.org/about/what-is-ot.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Therapists: Summary,” BLS, April 18, 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Therapists: Job Outlook,” BLS, April 18, 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm#tab-6.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Therapists: Work Environment,” BLS, April 18, 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm#tab-3.
- U.S. News & World Report, “Best Health Care Jobs,” U.S. News & World Report, 2025, https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-healthcare-jobs.
- Payscale, “Average Pediatric Occupational Therapist Salary,” Payscale, May 27, 2025, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Pediatric_Occupational_Therapist/Salary.
- U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics,” BLS, May 2023, https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/naics4_621600.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Query System,” Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, BLS, May 2024, https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/home.
- American Occupational Therapy Association, “Advanced certification eligibility criteria,” AOTA, 2025, https://www.aota.org/career/advanced-certification-program/eligibility-requirements.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Therapist: How to Become an Occupational Therapist” BLS, April 18, 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm#tab-4.
- Sarah Lyon, “How to Become an Occupational Therapist (2025),” OT Potential, March 11, 2025, https://otpotential.com/blog/become-an-occupational-therapist.
- CollegeSource, “University of St. Augustine For Health Sciences Prerequisite Equivalency List,” CollegeSource, 2025, https://tes.collegesource.com/publicview/TES_publicview01.aspx?rid=1c69717a-789c-4c68-aee4-f71f0514f2bc&aid=8063c4b2-bd8d-4104-9fe6-5087267b0d73.
- National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, “National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy,” NBCOT, 2025, https://www.nbcot.org.
- American Occupational Therapy Association, “State Occupational Therapy Regulatory Authority Contact Information,” AOTA, 2022, https://myaota.aota.org/regulatorycontacts.aspx.
