Occupational Therapy Career FAQs

An Occupational Therapist (OT) is a health care provider who helps people develop, recover, or maintain daily living skills. Occupational therapy enables individuals to effectively and safely engage in their environments.

OTs work with patients who have physical, cognitive, or sensory difficulties. This includes children with disabilities, adults recovering from injuries, and older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.

The role of an OT can be broad and vary depending on patient needs and the setting. Key functions include:

• Assessment and Evaluation
• Developing Treatment Plans
• Rehabilitation and Therapy
• Environmental Modifications
• Education and Support
• Mental Health Support
• Community Integration

To become a licensed OT, the first step is obtaining a bachelor’s degree. While OT programs typically accept a bachelor’s degree in any discipline, most require completion of prerequisites such as biology, anatomy and physiology, human development, psychology, sociology, statistics, and medical terminology.

Additionally, many programs require applicants to take the GRE and meet strict academic eligibility standards, including minimum GPA and GRE scores. Some programs also recommend completing 30 hours of occupational therapy observation, known as shadowing.

The median annual wage for occupational therapists is $96,370.

Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) are both rehabilitative sciences, but they differ in focus. OT helps patients develop the ability to perform everyday tasks independently, while PT focuses on improving a patient’s strength and movement.

OTs and PTs often collaborate in rehabilitation settings, as some patients require both to enhance physical function and daily task performance. Both professions require a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, and human behavior.

While a Master’s of Occupation Therapy (MOT) and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) will both help prepare graduates for board certification and serving patients, an OTD provides students with a more advanced and in-depth understanding of occupational therapy.

One major difference in MOT’s vs. OTD’s is the time it takes to obtain a degree. Typically, an MOT takes around a year to complete, while OTD’s take anywhere from two to four years.

Another compelling difference between an MOT and OTD is that many professionals recommend an OTD over an MOT for professional growth and mobility.

About 9,800 openings for occupational therapists are projected annually over the decade. These openings are expected to arise from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or retire.

OTs can work in various settings, including hospitals, schools, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, clinics, and more.