Occupational therapist pay and outlook
National wage and outlook figures from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook page for occupational therapists.
Quoted from official pages checked November 10, 2026. Confirm current requirements, fees, and dates on those sites. This page is not legal advice and does not guarantee eligibility, certification, or licensure.
On its Occupational Therapists handbook page, checked November 10, 2026, BLS lists these Quick Facts:
- 2025 Median Pay: $100,330 per year ($48.24 per hour)
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Master’s degree
- Work Experience in a Related Occupation: None
- On-the-job Training: None
- Number of Jobs, 2025: 169,600
- Job Outlook, 2025–35: 15% (Much faster than average)
- Employment Change, 2025–35: 25,200
That page states: “Occupational therapists evaluate and treat people who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities to help them with vocational, daily living, and other skills that promote independence.”
It states: “To enter the occupation, occupational therapists typically need a master’s degree in occupational therapy. All states require occupational therapists to be licensed.”
On pay, it states: “The median annual wage for occupational therapists was $100,330 in May 2025.”
On outlook, it states: “Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 15 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 10,000 openings for occupational therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.”
BLS also publishes state and area wage resources on that handbook page. This site does not copy those tables. Figures change when BLS updates the handbook. On November 10, 2026, that page showed “Last modified date: August 27, 2026”.
Where occupational therapists work is quoted on OT work settings. For a side-by-side with physical therapists, see OT vs PT.