Occupational Therapist: Career Information

Median Annual Earnings in the Industries Employing the Largest Numbers of Occupational Therapists (U.S., 2004^*)

• Home Health Care Services: $58,720
• Offices of other health practitioners: $56,620
• Nursing care facilities: $56,570
• General medical and surgical hospitals: $55,710
• Elementary and secondary schools: $48,580

• assist clients in performing activities of all types;
• use physical exercises to help patients increase strength and dexterity;
• use activities to help patients improve visual acuity and the ability to discern patterns;
• use computer programs to help clients improve decision-making, abstract-reasoning, problem-solving, memory, sequencing, coordination, and perceptual skills;
• design or make special equipment needed at home or at work;
• develop computer-aided adaptive equipment and teach clients with severe limitations how to use that equipment in order to communicate better and control various aspects of their environment;

Occupational therapists may work with particular populations, i.e. children, the elderly, or may work in specialized settings, i.e. mental health.

*This is the most recent year for which this information is available.

Information courtesy of Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Occupational Therapist, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos078.htm (visited April 17, 2006).