Occupational therapists participate in different roles and facilities, bringing creative and innovative ways to help populations adapt to their environments. Generally, OTs seek to support more accessible environments, inclusion, and social justice. This is why the work of OTs is also to promote awareness in communities and in primary care.
What Does an Occupational Therapist Do?
Occupational therapists, or OTs, are health professionals who assist patients in achieving greater independence in their daily activities. In general, OTs support individuals with various challenges and help them improve their quality of life.
What’s the Average Occupational Therapist’s Salary?
According to BLS data, the average salary for OTs is $96,370 per year or $46.33 per hour.
The states that pay OTs the best are as follows:
Another aspect to consider is the cost of living in every location. Aspiring and current OTs looking to relocate should find out the average cost of living of the place they want to move to before taking a job.
While some states pay better than others, hourly pay can increase with PRN jobs, both for OTs and other healthcare professionals.
PRN jobs (also called per diem jobs) are jobs in which the health professional works on demand, as needed by the facility. These jobs usually have many advantages, including higher hourly pay. There is also the added advantage of having more scheduling flexibility and getting jobs in varied environments.
Factors That Affect Salary
Here are some factors that can modify the average salary for OTs.
- Geographical location: As mentioned, geographic location modifies wages. It is also true that the cost of living is higher in some states and cities. Therefore, comparing the pay and cost of living in each location is important.
- Work experience: Work experience can also affect salary. Generally, entry-level OTs start with lower salary ranges. As they gain more experience, their earning potential increases.
- Specialization: Different specializations and certifications also modify wages. OTs who obtain specialties in pediatrics, mental health, geriatrics, or other specialties tend to earn higher salaries.
- Education level: To become an occupational therapist, you need a master’s degree. However, OTs can advance to other levels, such as doctoral degrees, which usually bring higher salaries.
- Time of year: Many OTs working within the school calendar experience seasonal fluctuations. For example, work may decrease during vacations or holidays. This can also cause income to vary.
PRN jobs can help OTs feel less stressed about money. As mentioned above, PRN jobs can pay high hourly wages. Since PRN shifts pay more, they offer great opportunities for occupational therapists to supplement their salaries. Some healthcare professionals also work per diem shifts as their principal source of income.
How OTs Support Physical and Mental Health
An occupational therapist works to support both physical and mental health. OTs facilitate the participation of patients in meaningful occupations by using therapy techniques. Some occupations include the following:
- Activities of daily living: OTs help with eating, dressing, bathing, and showering. They can also help with instrumental everyday activities such as cooking, handling money, and cleaning the house.
- Work-related skills: OTs also support the job search and employment process. If patients need extra tools or adaptive equipment for their jobs, OTs can help patients obtain them.
- Leisure activities: OTs can also support patients with games and leisure activities, including sports. This is why occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) are intimately linked.
- Mental health: OTs also include education and mental health as important aspects of their patients’ care plans. For example, diverse coping strategies can help different patients.
- Socialization: OTs support social participation in the community and one-on-one friendships.
Occupational therapy helps patients perform to the best of their abilities in all aspects of their daily lives.
Where Can OTs Work?
OTs can work in different environments and settings:
- Hospitals: In hospitals, OTs assist patients who have undergone surgery, injury, or illness. Generally, they are part of a multidisciplinary team and collaborate to make a plan according to the patient’s needs. OTs can work with physical therapists, respiratory therapists, recreational therapists, and social workers.
- Private practices: Some OTs work in private practices alongside other members of medical teams. They can also work in their own private practices. Generally, they work with specific population segments, such as pediatric or geriatric patients. They may also specialize in certain conditions, such as cerebral palsy.
- Rehabilitation centers: There are specific facilities dedicated to patient rehabilitation. In these centers, the aim is to regain independence after a severe illness or injury. OTs work here implementing therapies to improve daily living skills.
- Schools: OTs often use their skills to accompany children with special needs, such as children with social or physical disabilities. In these environments, OTs must coordinate their plans with teachers and parents.
- Organizations: Other organizations, including community centers and private organizations, need the support of OTs. In general, in these spaces, OTs implement programs for the development of the communities they serve.
OTs can access multiple workspaces in different types of facilities.
Many occupational therapists choose this profession because of professional growth opportunities. OTs can specialize in different areas, such as pediatrics, mental health, geriatrics, or rehabilitation after injuries or sickness.
Some therapies that complement the work of OTs include physical therapy, speech therapy, mental health therapy, recreational therapy, nutrition, psychology, social work, and more.
How Can I Become an OT?
Occupational therapy requires a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. Together, these degrees usually take six to seven years. Occupational therapy education requires extensive study, as it encompasses specific elements of patient support.
Applicants must also pass the OT certification exam and obtain licenses to work in their specific states.
The field also includes occupational therapy assistants (OTAs), who also require certification and a degree that usually lasts two years.
The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy certifies occupational therapy professionals to uphold a standard of OT practice. This applies to both professionals: OTs and OTAs.
Which Specialties Are in Demand for OTs?
Many patients need assistance to learn how to live independently. Although there are many specialties for occupational therapists, some of them are more in demand than others.
Pediatric Occupational Therapists
Pediatric occupational therapy treats minors, from infants to adolescents.
Pediatric OTs develop treatment plans to support daily tasks, primarily in schools. They often work with populations that need this support, such as children with autism.
Geriatric Occupational Therapists
Geriatric occupational therapists work with older adults so that geriatric populations can continue to live productive and fulfilling lives.
Through occupational therapy programs, OTs are able to support many older adults in health care centers and at home.
In general, OTs work with geriatric populations to improve or maintain cognitive skills. They also work in fall prevention to reduce fall risks in different environments.
Mental Health Occupational Therapists
Mental health specialization covers different mental health issues, for example, depression, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and others. OTs working in this specialty try to identify the mental challenges that each patient has.
OTs work with patients through psychological interventions, social interactions, emotional regulation, and more. The goal is to achieve long-term recovery and make some daily living activities more manageable for patients.
Occupational Therapists for Autism
OTs design situation-specific plans to improve the quality of life for people on the autism spectrum.
Working with people with autism involves working on fine and gross motor skills and social skills. OTs can help autistic people accomplish this through group therapy and individualized sessions.
Swallowing Specialists
One of the highest-paid specialties is swallowing, also called the dysphagia specialty.
OTs in this area support patients’ eating, feeding, and swallowing through various techniques and dietary modifications. Typically, OTs within this specialty work as part of a team.
Other OT Specialists
Occupational therapists’ work includes recovery from illness, accident, injury, or surgery.
Other popular in-demand specialties include hand therapy, community-based occupational therapy, and physical recovery. OTs are needed for many health conditions that require recovery.
Often, OTs use special equipment for specialties and therapies.
Are Occupational Therapists in Demand?
Yes! Promoting independence and helping with rehabilitation is a constantly growing job.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that the growth rate of OT jobs will be 11 percent until 2033. There are several reasons for this significant increase. For example, OTs need replacements when they retire. Another example is the growing demand among patients. Demand is growing because an increasing number of people need support to stay as active as possible.
The Overall Role of Occupational Therapists
There is an increasing demand for OTs in different facilities and society as a whole, making this work valuable in the long term. For OTs and other healthcare professionals to get well-paying jobs—which they deserve—they may want to consider PRN jobs.
Interested in taking on PRN jobs to receive better pay rates and build your own schedule? Create an account on Nursa and start looking for jobs near you.
Sources:
- National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
- National Institutes of Health: Rehab - Occupational Therapy
- National Library of Medicine: Type of Findings Generated by the Occupational Therapy Workforce Research Worldwide
- National Library of Medicine: Occupational therapy services in primary care: a scoping review
