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Occupational therapist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$100,330median pay per year, or $48.24 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $71,690lowest 10% earn less
  2. $82,51025th percentile
  3. $100,330median
  4. $116,67075th percentile
  5. $131,950top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[6]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

An occupational therapist earned a median of $100,330 a year in May 2025, about twice the typical pay across all US jobs[1][2]. Jobs are projected to grow 14.8% over the decade to 2035, but getting in takes a master's degree and a state license[3][4][5].

Job growth, 2025–35
+14.8%[3]
Openings per year
10,000[7]
Typical entry education
Master's degree[4]

How much do occupational therapists make?

Half of occupational therapists earned more than $100,330 a year in May 2025, and half earned less, which works out to $48.24 an hour[1]. The average (mean) was a little higher, at $101,280 a year or $48.69 an hour[8]. For comparison, the typical worker across all US occupations earned $50,980[2].

Pay spreads out from there. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $71,690, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $131,950[6]. These percentiles are boundaries in the pay distribution, not a starting salary, and BLS does not publish starting pay[9].

Percentile Per year Per hour
10th[6][10] $71,690 $34.47
25th[6][10] $82,510 $39.67
50th (median)[1] $100,330 $48.24
75th[6][10] $116,670 $56.09
90th[6][10] $131,950 $63.44

These figures cover full-time and part-time workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out self-employed therapists, and they do not include bonuses or the value of benefits like health insurance or retirement plans[11].

Pay by state and city

California had the highest state median for this job, at $124,510, followed by Oregon at $112,310 and Nevada at $110,520[12]. The District of Columbia came next at $109,170, then Washington at $107,670[12]. At the other end, North Dakota had the lowest median at $83,200[12].

California also had the most jobs, with 13,810[13]. Texas came second with 13,400 jobs, then New York with 11,690, Florida with 10,650 and Illinois with 7,710[13]. A big job market does not always mean higher pay. New York's median of $96,390 sits below the national figure[12][1].

Looking only at metros with 100 or more jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA paid the highest median at $136,870, just ahead of San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $136,770 and Vallejo, CA at $135,000[14]. Seven of the eight top-paying metros on that list are in California[14]. The only exception is Boulder, CO at $123,490[14].

The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs of any metro, 11,640, with a median of $101,460[15]. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (5,960 jobs) and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (4,950 jobs, median $122,040) came next[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[12]$124,51013,810
Oregon$112,3101,170
Nevada$110,5201,080
District of Columbia$109,170540
Washington$107,6703,340
Maryland$106,9802,390
Colorado$106,7203,390
Arkansas$106,3602,160
Texas$106,14013,400
Oklahoma$104,3001,180
Georgia$104,0103,650
Alaska$103,680410
Arizona$103,6602,680
New Jersey$103,4106,290
Hawaii$102,870390
Connecticut$102,4403,150
Delaware$102,130490
South Carolina$101,1301,840
Massachusetts$100,9306,510
Virginia$100,7104,150
Rhode Island$100,040770
Illinois$99,7007,710
Ohio$99,3906,760
Florida$99,36010,650
Kansas$99,1701,560
New Mexico$99,1701,030
Louisiana$98,4902,060
Pennsylvania$98,4406,560
Idaho$97,760840
Tennessee$97,7002,490
Kentucky$97,6502,190
Missouri$97,2903,400
Utah$97,1501,030
Indiana$97,0203,830
New York$96,39011,690
West Virginia$96,190700
Mississippi$94,9301,340
Alabama$94,0501,500
Nebraska$93,7401,500
Vermont$93,340320
Minnesota$93,0503,670
North Carolina$92,9404,490
Wisconsin$92,3903,710
Iowa$89,9101,290
Michigan$89,9105,120
Montana$88,990420
Wyoming$86,170350
South Dakota$85,050490
Maine$84,3101,120
New Hampshire$83,9001,240
North Dakota$83,200570

How to become an occupational therapist

BLS lists a master's degree as the usual entry education. No prior work experience in a related job or on-the-job training is typically needed[4]. The path in the facts looks like this:

1) Earn a bachelor's degree, which graduate programs in occupational therapy require, though it can be in almost any subject[16]. 2) Take science classes along the way, since master's programs often ask for coursework in biology, psychology and other sciences[16]. 3) Get some hands-on exposure if your target program wants it, as some programs look for paid or volunteer time in an OT setting[16]. 4) Complete a master's degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program[17][5]. Programs usually last 2 to 3 years, cover subjects like anatomy, kinesiology and neuroscience, and include a set number of hours of supervised fieldwork[17][18]. Some schools combine the bachelor's and master's into one dual-degree program[19]. 5) Pass the qualifying exam, which lets you use the title Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR)[20]. You need a degree from an accredited program that includes fieldwork to sit for it[5]. 6) Get licensed in your state, since every state requires a license and the rules differ from state to state[5].

After that, therapists complete continuing education hours to keep their license and certification[20]. Some employers also want CPR or basic life support certification[21].

In an ONET survey of 22 workers, 86% said the job requires a master's degree and 14% said a bachelor's degree[22]. ONET places the job in Job Zone Five, its group for occupations that need extensive preparation[23].

BLS also points to a few personal qualities that help: flexibility to change treatment plans as a client's needs shift, good listening and clear explanations, empathy for people who struggle with daily tasks, and the ability to build rapport[24][25][26][27].

What occupational therapists do

Occupational therapists help people with disabilities or developmental delays build or regain the skills they need for daily life, work and independent living. They teach skills, adapt tasks and change a person's surroundings to remove barriers[28]. Typical tasks include[29]:

Workers report job titles such as Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Home Health Occupational Therapist, Early Intervention Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)[30].

Where they work

Occupational therapists usually work in healthcare settings. Some work in schools, and others go to clients' homes[31]. The largest single employer group in 2025 was offices of therapists (physical, occupational and speech) and audiologists, with 28% of these jobs[32]. About 2.5% were self-employed[33].

The job is physical. Injury and illness rates for occupational therapists are among the highest of any occupation, partly because therapists may need to lift and move clients or heavy equipment. Using proper lifting technique helps lower that risk[34].

Full-time work is the norm, though part-time jobs are common. Some therapists work nights or weekends to fit their clients' schedules[35].

Job outlook

BLS expects the number of occupational therapist jobs to rise from about 169,600 in 2025 to 194,800 in 2035, an increase of 14.8%[3]. That is much faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations[36].

About 10,000 openings are expected each year on average[7]. These include jobs that open up when workers retire or switch careers, not only new positions[7]. Each year about 2% of workers are expected to leave the labor force and 2.1% to move into a different occupation[37].

The projection counts include self-employed workers[3], while the May 2025 wage survey counted about 162,450 wage and salary jobs[38]. The two numbers measure different things, so they do not match.

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to solid pay, with a median of $100,330 a year[1], and job growth well above the all-occupations rate[3][36]. The trade-off is the time it takes to get in: a bachelor's degree, then a master's program that usually runs 2 to 3 years, then an exam and a state license[16][18][5]. The work involves close contact with clients and some physical risk from lifting[27][34]. It may suit someone who wants hands-on work helping people regain daily skills and is ready to go through graduate school and licensing.

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[39].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an occupational therapist make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $48.24 in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $34.47 an hour and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $63.44[10].
How long does it take to become an occupational therapist?
You need a bachelor's degree first, then a master's program in occupational therapy that usually takes 2 to 3 years[16][18]. You also have to pass a qualifying exam and get a state license[5].
What degree do you need to be an occupational therapist?
A master's degree in occupational therapy is the typical entry requirement[4][17]. Your bachelor's degree can be in almost any subject, though programs often want science courses like biology and psychology[16].
Are occupational therapists in demand?
BLS projects 14.8% job growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[3][36]. About 10,000 openings are expected each year[7].
What is the highest paying state for occupational therapists?
California had the highest state median at $124,510 in May 2025, followed by Oregon at $112,310[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Occupational Therapists in the US was $100,330 per year and $48.24 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Occupational Therapists is projected to grow 14.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 169,600 to 194,800 jobs (a change of +25,200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Occupational Therapists: education needed for entry: Master's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  5. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  6. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Occupational Therapists: 10th percentile $71,690, 25th percentile $82,510, 75th percentile $116,670, 90th percentile $131,950. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS Employment Projections: about 10,000 openings for Occupational Therapists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Occupational Therapists was $101,280 per year and $48.69 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Occupational Therapists: 10th percentile $34.47, 25th percentile $39.67, 75th percentile $56.09, 90th percentile $63.44. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Occupational Therapists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Occupational Therapists jobs: California 13,810; Texas 13,400; New York 11,690; Florida 10,650; Illinois 7,710. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Occupational Therapists (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $136,870; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $136,770; Vallejo, CA $135,000; Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $130,420; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $128,010; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $125,890; Boulder, CO $123,490; Bakersfield-Delano, CA $123,200. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Occupational Therapists jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 11,640 (median $101,460); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 5,960 (median $99,860); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 4,950 (median $122,040); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 4,790 (median $101,940); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 3,450 (median $106,110); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 3,410 (median $103,140). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 29-1122.00 survey of workers (22 respondents), education level they say is required: Master's Degree 86%, Bachelor's Degree 14% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET 29-1122.00: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. O*NET OnLine
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. O*NET description of Occupational Therapists. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET task list for Occupational Therapists. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET 29-1122.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Assistive Technology Trainer, Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), Early Intervention Occupational Therapist, Home Health Occupational Therapist, Industrial Rehabilitation Consultant, Occupational Therapist (OT), Pediatric Occupational Therapist (Pediatric OT), Pediatrics and Acute Care Occupational Therapist. O*NET OnLine
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of occupational therapists in 2025: Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists 28%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: 2.5% of Occupational Therapists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Occupational Therapists: 2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  38. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 162,450 people were employed as Occupational Therapists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  39. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.