Where Do Occupational Therapists Work?
From hospitals and schools to outpatient clinics and private practices, this guide explores where OTs work, highlighting the unique roles and opportunities in each environment.
Private Practice
In a private practice setting, occupational therapists usually work in an environment that's more intimate and specialized compared to hospitals or larger institutions. Here's what you can generally expect:
Physical Space:
- Dedicated therapy gym/equipment
- Private treatment rooms
Schedule:
- To fit client-therapist availability
- Scheduled 30-60 min appointments
- More control over caseload
Work Style:
- One-on-one patient care
- Specialization opportunities
- Small team environment
Annual Mean Wage:
Educational Requirements:
- Master's or doctoral degree
- State licensure
- Pass the NBCOT exam
Schools
An occupational therapist in a school setting primarily works to help students access their education successfully. Duties include student evaluations, IEP meetings, documentation, treatment sessions, and teacher consultation. Here's what you can generally expect:
Physical Space:
- Dedicated therapy room or shared space
- Often work in various school environments (classroom, playground, cafeteria)
Schedule:
- Follows school calendar and hours (summers off, holidays)
- Sessions typically 30 minutes
- Mix of individual and group sessions
Work Style:
- Close collaboration with teachers, staff, and other specialists
- Focus on academic, emotional regulation, and social skill development
- Services provided in natural learning environment
- Must adapt to classroom schedules/needs
Annual Mean Wage:
Educational Requirements:
- Master's or doctoral degree
- State licensure
- Pass the NBCOT exam
Clinics
An occupational therapist in a clinical setting primarily works in a structured health care environment, typically treating patients with various medical conditions and injuries. Duties include patient evaluations, treatment planning, documentation, and coordination with other health care providers. Here's what you can generally expect:
Physical Space:
- Large therapy gym with various equipment
- Treatment tables and private rooms
- Dedicated spaces for specific therapies
- May share space with other related service providers (e.g., speech therapy, physical therapy)
Schedule:
- Regular business hours, possibly weekends
- Back-to-back patient appointments
- Usually 30-45 minute sessions
- Higher patient volume than other settings
Work Style:
- Fast-paced environment
- Strong focus on functional rehabilitation
- Regular team meetings and care coordination
- Insurance and productivity requirements
Annual Mean Wage:
Educational Requirements:
- Master's or doctoral degree
- State licensure
- Pass the NBCOT exam
Hospitals
An occupational therapist in a hospital setting primarily works with patients during their acute medical stay, focusing on functional recovery and discharge planning. Duties include evaluations, treatment including bedside, discharge recommendations, and collaboration with the medical team. Here's what you can generally expect:
Physical Space:
- Patient rooms/bedside care
- Therapy gym for mobile patients
- May cover multiple hospital floors
- Sometimes shared spaces with PT
Schedule:
- Various shifts including weekends
- Patient load varies daily
- Intake and treatments
- Urgent/time-sensitive cases
Work Style:
- Fast-paced medical environment
- Close team collaboration with medical staff
- Priority-based treatment planning
- Focus on basic daily activities
- Frequent schedule changes
Annual Mean Wage:
Educational Requirements:
- Master's or doctoral degree
- State licensure
- Pass the NBCOT exam
