Is Occupational Therapy a Good Career? 8 Reasons to Pursue This Path

If you want to help individuals improve their daily lives in meaningful and creative ways, occupational therapy (OT) may be right for you.

As an occupational therapist (OT), you will work with individuals or groups  with physical and mental injuries and disabilities. You will aid in recovery and help individuals master vital living skills to navigate the world more independently.

An occupational therapy career—is it right for you? Let’s review eight significant benefits of being an occupational therapist and what you can expect in an OT profession. 

1. Enjoy Salary Potential

You can earn a comfortable living with a career in occupational therapy. The median pay for OTs in 2022 was $93,180 per year, and opportunities continue to rise.¹ Based on 2022 data, these are the average salaries for popular OT careers¹:

• Home health care services: $101,500
• Nursing care facilities: $99,560
• Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists and audiologists: $91,420
• Elementary and secondary schools: $79,660

An OT’s salary range can grow with experience and seniority and may vary based on:

• Type of facility or environment
• Specialties and credentials
• Location (both actual pay and income relative to local cost of living)
• Completing a master’s or doctoral program

Another key consideration is the area where you live and work. The five highest-earning states for OTs, along with their average annual salaries are²:

• California: $109,220
• Nevada: $105,020
• New Jersey: $104,710
• Alaska: $100,810
• Virginia: $97,980

Remember to keep the cost of living in mind. For instance, while Nevada’s cost of living is about 10% above the national average, California’s is almost 50% above average—that puts Nevada in the #1 spot by a long shot.^3,4

2. Engage in a Promising Profession

Compared to a 3% growth rate for all professions, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a much higher growth rate of 12% for occupational therapists between 2022 and 2032.¹ 

That growth will equal about 9,600 annual job openings for OTs, including role replacement and new positions.¹ While your job opportunities and hiring potential can vary depending on your specific circumstances, OT is a promising profession.

3. Choose Your Workplace Settings 

OTs have the flexibility to work in a variety of settings, including: 

• Home healthcare
• Free clinics and community centers
• Offices
• Hospitals
• School systems
• Outpatient clinics 
• Mental health facilities 

OTs can also work in teletherapy, which allows an OT to connect with clients using video conference software. Virtual OTs may be fully remote or balance in-person and virtual environments. 

4. Pursue a Variety of Specialties 

OTs can choose from a range of specialties and patient populations. There are many certification options to pursue after earning a degree, including:

If you want to better the lives of individuals in a specific area, there is likely an occupational therapy specialty where you can leverage your skills.

5. Leverage Your Creativity 

OTs create customized treatment plans based on a patient’s needs. You will need to think creatively about how a patient can implement their treatment plan at home. 

For example, you’re working with a patient to build their strength. You use resistance bands in your exercises, but your patient doesn’t have this equipment at home. Instead, think of household objects, such as small dumbbells, pantyhose or a towel, that will provide the same effect. 

6. Build Relationships with Clients

In your OT career, you may work with clients who require either short- or long-term treatment. You will work closely with your clients to improve their mobility, strength and ability to perform everyday tasks.

You may build trusting relationships with your clients as you get to know them and their circumstances during sessions. If you enjoy working with people and thrive on empowering others, you will likely enjoy working in the OT field. 

7. Find Career Satisfaction 

Occupational therapy is a profession with the potential for high job satisfaction.⁶ An OT career may suit you if you have the following capabilities:

• Patience
• Excellent listening, communication and interpersonal skills
• Adaptability and creativity
• Compassion and empathy

The ability to choose a career that keeps you moving instead of sitting behind a desk is appealing to many individuals. The opportunity to hone your skills with a patient group and in an environment that you enjoy can be fulfilling.

8. Explore OT Travel Positions

In the OT field, you can become a travel OT. Apply with an agency to select short-term openings across the country.

Travel positions may provide:

• Opportunities to travel nationwide
• Experience in many different care settings
• Increased job flexibility
• Employee benefits such as housing stipends

Travel OT positions are great opportunities for those who want to practice in several locations. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

The following are commonly asked questions about the OT career path. 

What Degree Do You Need to Become an Occupational Therapist?

What are the education requirements needed to pursue a career in OT? Occupational therapy generally requires a graduate degree, either a master’s or doctorate.

To work in the field, you’ll need to⁷:

• Step 1: Acquire either a master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy
• Step 2: Attend a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
• Step 3: Pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) exam
• Step 4: Become licensed by your state board
• Step 5: Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll be able to work with the professional title of Occupational Therapist (OT) or OTR and maintain your license with continuing education credits.

To move into specialized occupational therapy roles, you may need to earn an advanced certification from AOTA or another credentialing agency. These positions generally require a combination of targeted experience and continuing education coursework.

What Are Common OT Program Admission Requirements?

There are a few different routes to enter a graduate studies program, depending on your educational and professional experience.

Below are the admission requirements for USAHS’ Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program.

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Résumé
• Statement of purpose 
• Prerequisite coursework, including:
  • Anatomy and Physiology with Lab
  • Sociology or Anthropology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Statistics
  • Medical Terminology
• Letters of recommendation
• Observation hours 
• OT supplemental questions 

The GRE is not required for admission to USAHS’ MOT Program. 

How Long Is Occupational Therapy School?

When you apply to an occupational therapy program, decide whether to attend on a full- or part-time basis. This choice can determine the length of your graduate program. Programs vary between schools, and USAHS’ programs are as follows: 

Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) *Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.

• Residential: Two years
• Hybrid Immersion: Two years 
• Flex: Three years

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) *Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.
 

• Residential: 2.7 years
• Flex: 3.7 years

The length of time it takes to complete an OT program may also vary depending on:

• Residential, Flex or Hybrid Immersion format and if travel is required
• If you need to complete any prerequisite coursework before starting a program
• Your progress through coursework, any credits you transfer and other academic factors
• Life considerations, such as if you work full- or part-time while earning your degree

All programs also include at least 24 weeks of supervised clinical fieldwork.

Is a Career in Occupational Therapy Worth it?

A career in occupational therapy is ideal for those who enjoy working with people and want to specialize in a particular area or work with a specific population. Pursuing a career as an OT also comes with a livable annual wage ($93,180) and a promising job outlook (12%).¹

Start Your Occupational Therapy Journey With USAHS 

Ready to take the next step toward advancing your education? The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers MOT and OTD programs. 

At USAHS, learn anatomy with high-tech tools, practice with mock clients in state-of-the-art simulation centers and prepare for clinical practice with clients of all ages. 

Explore our programs online or request more information to learn how you can further your passion for patient care.

The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program at the Dallas, Texas, campus has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. 

Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program. 

Sources:

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Therapists,” BLS, last modified September 2023, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm#tab-1  
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022” BLS, last modified May 2022, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291122.htm 
3. Best Places, “Cost of Living in Nevada,” Best Places, https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/state/nevada 
4. Best Places, “Cost of Living in California,” Best Places, https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/state/california 
5. Bonsaksen, Tore, et al., “Job Satisfaction among Occupational Therapists Employed in Primary Care Services in Norway.” National Library of Medicine, last modified March 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10049391/ 
6. Sanna-Maria Mertala et al., “Job Satisfaction among Occupational Therapy Practitioners: A Systematic Review of Quantitative Studies,” Occupational Therapy In Health Care, last modified August 2021,  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07380577.2021.1964146
7. American Occupational Therapy Association “Become an occupational therapy practitioner,” AOTA, last modified May 2023,  https://www.aota.org/career/become-an-ot-ota