Occupational Therapists
Assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays. Use therapeutic techniques, adapt the individual's environment, teach skills, and modify specific tasks that present barriers to the individual.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Occupational Therapists to increase by 14.8% between 2024 and 2034, from 169,600 to 194,800 jobs. Its estimate of 10,000 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($100,330), education (Master's degree), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
169,600
Projected employment (2034)
194,800
Projected change (2024–2034)
15%
Annual openings (projected average)
10,000
Pay & Preparation
$100,330
Master's degree
None
None
Essential Skills
Active Listening (4.12/5) • Monitoring (4.12/5) • Service Orientation (4.12/5) • Reading Comprehension (4/5) • Writing (4/5) • Critical Thinking (4/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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