The job of an occupational therapist is quite challenging, but it scores high in terms of job satisfaction. This CareerStint article provides information on the factors affecting the salary of an occupational therapist.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 29% from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Occupational therapists (OTs) help improve the quality of life, health, function, and occupational performance of individuals who are affected by a physical or cognitive disability, mental illness, psychosocial dysfunction, developmental disorder, maladaptive behavior, etc. They encourage the patient to participate in day-to-day activities, helping them develop skills and overcome disability or activity limitations that might be caused by an illness, accident, developmental disorder, or aging.
An occupational therapist must be patient and determined, as he needs to work closely with people. OTs work with young children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. They might work in hospitals, clinics, community centers, nursing homes, educational institutions, social services, GP practices/primary care, etc. The job prospects of occupational therapists are good. The salary of an occupational therapist would vary, depending on the work setting, years of experience, demographics, certification, ability to travel, etc.
According to BLS, the median annual salary for occupational therapists was USD 76,940 in 2013. The top 10% earned more than USD 109,380, while the bottom 10% made less than USD 51,310.
Occupational therapists working for home health care services are generally compensated very well. The top paying industries for the occupation of occupational therapists included:
➻ Home Health Care Services
➻ Other Ambulatory Health Care Services
➻ Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities)
➻ Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly
➻ Offices of Other Health Practitioners
The industries with the highest concentration of employment included:
➻ Offices of Other Health Practitioners
➻ Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals
➻ Home Health Care Services
➻ Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities)
➻ General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
States with the highest employment level in this occupation included:
➻ California
➻ New York
➻ Texas
➻ Pennsylvania
➻ Florida
According to BLS (Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2014), the mean annual wage for OTs was USD 57,260, whereas the mean hourly wage was USD 27.53. While the highest 10% earned more than USD 76,690, the lowest 10% earned less than USD 36,420. The median annual wages in the top paying industries such as home health care services, other ambulatory health care services, nursing care facilities, and continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly, and offices of other health practitioners were USD 67,180, USD 63,760, USD 60,790, USD 59,330, and USD 59,000, respectively. The following table provides the estimated annual salary in different states.
| Alabama | USD 88,000 |
| Alaska | USD 64,000 |
| Arizona | USD 71,000 |
| Arkansas | USD 88,000 |
| California | USD 93,000 |
| Colorado | USD 77,000 |
| Connecticut | USD 100,000 |
| Delaware | USD 76,000 |
| District of Columbia | USD 109,000 |
| Florida | USD 81,000 |
| Georgia | USD 99,000 |
| Hawaii | USD 53,000 |
| Idaho | USD 57,000 |
| Illinois | USD 98,000 |
| Indiana | USD 83,000 |
| Iowa | USD 85,000 |
| Kansas | USD 79,000 |
| Kentucky | USD 75,000 |
| Louisiana | USD 77,000 |
| Maine | USD 77,000 |
| Maryland | USD 89,000 |
| Massachusetts | USD 104,000 |
| Michigan | USD 87,000 |
| Minnesota | USD 76,000 |
| Mississippi | USD 91,000 |
| Missouri | USD 85,000 |
| Montana | USD 72,000 |
| Nebraska | USD 63,000 |
| Nevada | USD 66,000 |
| New Hampshire | USD 85,000 |
| New Jersey | USD 93,000 |
| New Mexico | USD 75,000 |
| New York | USD 105,000 |
| North Carolina | USD 83,000 |
| North Dakota | USD 77,000 |
| Ohio | USD 83,000 |
| Oklahoma | USD 80,000 |
| Oregon | USD 84,000 |
| Pennsylvania | USD 84,000 |
| Rhode Island | USD 79,000 |
| South Carolina | USD 85,000 |
| South Dakota | USD 65,000 |
| Tennessee | USD 80,000 |
| Texas | USD 84,000 |
| Utah | USD 67,000 |
| Vermont | USD 76,000 |
| Virginia | USD 87,000 |
| Washington | USD 89,000 |
| West Virginia | USD 82,000 |
| Wisconsin | USD 77,000 |
| Wyoming | USD 71,000 |
In case of children with disabilities, OTs help the child participate in activities at school. He/she trains the child to react properly in social situations. In case of individuals who have met with an accident, the goal is to help the client regain or recover the lost skills or function. They help them perform physical exercises which help increase their strength and endurance. OTs also provide care for older adults who are affected by age-related disorders.
They help the client perform daily tasks, be it at home or office. The goal of these therapists is to let their patients acquire a sense of independence and satisfaction with their lives. It appears to be a very challenging job as OTs have to make themselves available as the only support for the patients.
Since OTs are required to give the much-needed support to their clients, it becomes important for these therapists to be physically, emotionally, and mentally fit. OTs also need to evaluate the client’s condition, and change the plan, if the outcome is not as expected.
On a concluding note, the salary of an occupational therapist depends on varied factors such as the demographics, work settings, additional training, years of experience, etc. OTs who are licensed with the state’s certifying board or OTs who are registered with the national accrediting body, can expect to earn more. Also, OTs who wish to work as assistive technology professionals can improve their job prospects by choosing certifications in CPR and Basic Life Support. Similarly, to become a certified hand therapist, one can take the Hand Therapy Certification Examination that is administered by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission. Thus, occupational therapy can be a financially rewarding career.