Occupational Therapist (OT)

Occupational therapists help people with injuries, illnesses or disabilities build or keep the skills they need for daily living and work.
U.S. median pay
$48.24/hr
$100,330/yr
Projected growth
+14.8%
2025–35
Openings per year
10,000
average, 2025–35
Typical education
Master's degree

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.

How people get started

Typically a master's degree in occupational therapy, which usually takes 2 to 3 years and includes supervised fieldwork. BLS: How to become one

Licensing in one line

Every state requires a license, and at a minimum you must pass a qualifying exam.

Therapy and rehabilitation careers

  1. Respiratory TherapistAssociate's degree or higher
  2. Occupational TherapistMaster's degree, 2–3 years
  3. Speech-Language PathologistMaster's degree, about 2 years
  4. Physical TherapistDPT, typically 3 years

Pay

What occupational therapists earn

Pay in every state

U.S. median hourly pay · BLS May 2025

$48.24

an hour · $100,330 a year

10th
$34.47
25th
$39.67
Median
$48.24
75th
$56.09
90th
$63.44

Hourly pay range: 10th percentile $34.47/hr, median $48.24/hr, 90th percentile $63.44/hr.

Schools

Programs that lead here

All schools content
Occupational therapy programs (master's or doctorate)Master's programs usually take 2 to 3 years. Master's degree (most common) or doctorate.Accreditation: ACOTE

Licensing

Licensing and verification

Find your state's board

Every state requires a license, and at a minimum you must pass a qualifying exam.

“All states require occupational therapists to be licensed. Licensing requirements vary by state, but at a minimum, candidates must pass a qualifying exam.” BLS

Exam: NBCOT certification exam

Work in more than one state: Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Commission

Covers occupational therapists and ot assistants. Check the official member map · How compacts work

California

Full California guide: boards, lookups and key requirements. California OT licensing

Clinical rotations

For students

Your first clinical rotationThe checklist, from documents to day one.Licensing examsWhich exam you'll take after graduating.From student to first shiftBoard application to first paid shift.

Work as an OT with SHIFTit

Choose shifts that fit your life. Your credentials are verified once and travel with you to every facility on the platform.

Join SHIFTerz

Related careers and comparisons

PT vs. OTPhysical TherapistSpeech-Language PathologistRespiratory Therapist

Sources

Checked against these sources on Oct 1, 2026.