Career profile · SOC 29-1122

Occupational therapists

Occupational therapists is an occupation catalogued under SOC 29-1122. The role reports a median annual salary of $98,340 in the US and is projected to grow 14% over the next decade (faster than average). Entry typically requires a Master's degree, and shows low AI exposure (0.26 on a 0-1 scale) — the role's core work resists automation. The most in-demand skills for the role include hygiene in a health care setting, health care legislation, occupational physiology, medical terminology, orthopaedics.

Median salary
$98,340
per year
Growth outlook
Faster Than Average
BLS 10-yr
Education
Master's degree
AI exposure
2.61/10
automation risk

Top skills

hygiene in a health care setting health care legislation occupational physiology medical terminology orthopaedics health care occupation-specific ethics community-based rehabilitation supervision of persons general medicine occupational therapy theories

Frequently asked questions

How much does Occupational therapists earn?

The median annual salary for Occupational therapists in the US is $98,340.

What is the job outlook for Occupational therapists?

The role is projected to grow 14% over the next decade (faster than average). Current US employment is approximately 160,000 workers.

How do I become occupational therapists?

The typical entry education is a Master's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.

What skills does Occupational therapists need?

The most in-demand skills for this role include hygiene in a health care setting, health care legislation, occupational physiology, medical terminology, orthopaedics, health care occupation-specific ethics. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.

Will AI replace Occupational therapists?

Our AI-durability model gives Occupational therapists a score of 0.26 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at low AI exposure — the role's core work resists current-generation automation. It's a comparatively AI-durable choice within its field.

How hard is it to enter this field?

Occupational therapists has high barrier to entry — highly gated — a graduate degree or extended training/apprenticeship is typically required.

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