Center for Career and Professional Development
Russell Abatiello, MEd
Phone: 617-726-1318
rabbatiello@mghihp.edu
PEBT
Occupational Therapists Employment Statistics
For Occupational Therapists
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Data reported May 2012
Job Outlook
Employment of occupational therapists is expected to increase 33 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, autism, or the loss of a limb.
The need for occupational therapists will increase as the large baby-boom population ages and people remain active later in life. Specifically, occupational therapists help senior citizens maintain their independence by recommending home modifications and strategies that make daily activities easier.
Occupational therapists also play a large role in the treatment of many conditions commonly associated with aging, such as osteoarthritis and Parkinson’s disease. Patients will continue to seek noninvasive outpatient treatment for long-term disabilities and illnesses, either in their homes or in residential care environments. In addition, medical advances now enable more patients with critical problems to survive—patients who ultimately may need extensive therapy.
Job Prospects
Job opportunities should be good for licensed occupational therapists in all setting, particularly in acute hospital, rehabilitation, and orthopedic settings because the elderly receive most of their treatment in these settings. Occupational therapists with specialized knowledge in a treatment area also will have increased job prospects.
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for Occupational Therapists:
| Employment |
Mean hourly |
Mean annual |
|
105,540 |
$36.73 |
$76,400 |
Percentile wage estimates for Occupational Therapists:
| Percentile |
10% |
25% |
50% |
75% |
90% |
|
Hourly Wage |
$24.28 |
$30.06 |
$36.25 |
$43.40 |
$51.47 |
|
Annual Wage |
$50,500 |
$62,510 |
$75,400 |
$90,270 |
$107,070 |
Industries with the highest levels of employment in Occupational Therapy:
| Industry |
Employment |
Percent of industry employment |
Hourly mean wage |
Annual mean wage |
|
Offices of Other Health Practitioners |
25,810 |
3.59 |
$37.29 |
$77,570 |
|
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
23,830 |
0.45 |
$36.30 |
$75,510 |
|
Elementary and Secondary Schools |
14,090 |
0.17 |
$32.91 |
$68,440 |
|
Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) |
9,970 |
0.60 |
$39.99 |
$83,180 |
|
Home Health Care Services |
9,590 |
0.81 |
$41.76 |
$86,850 |
States with the highest employment level in Occupational Therapy:
| State |
Employment |
Hourly mean wage |
Annual mean wage |
|
California |
9,250 |
$41.53 |
$86,380 |
|
New York |
7,650 |
$35.79 |
$74,450 |
|
Texas |
7,050 |
$40.77 |
$84,810 |
|
Florida |
6,160 |
$38.25 |
$79,560 |
|
Pennsylvania |
5,580 |
$33.87 |
$70,450 |
States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Occupational Therapy:
| State |
Employment |
Hourly mean wage |
Annual mean wage |
|
980 |
$31.91 |
$66,370 |
|
|
4,860 |
$35.80 |
$74,450 |
|
|
2,570 |
$36.39 |
$75,680 |
|
|
1,770 |
$40.21 |
$83,640 |
|
|
660 |
$31.72 |
$65,980 |
Top paying states for Occupational Therapy:
| State |
Employment |
Hourly mean wage |
Annual mean wage |
|
Nevada |
800 |
$50.62 |
$105,290 |
|
New Jersey |
3,430 |
$41.67 |
$86,680 |
|
California |
9,250 |
$41.53 |
$86,380 |
|
District of Columbia |
310 |
$40.99 |
$85,260 |
|
Texas |
7,050 |
$40.77 |
$84,810 |
For more information, see Licensing and Career page. for the Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program