Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Master's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Occupational therapists work in a field that combines strong long-term demand with a clearly defined professional path. National employment stands at 160,000, with projected employment growth of 13.8%. This growth, along with 10,000 annual openings, signals a steady flow of opportunities for new graduates and experienced professionals. The national median annual salary of $98,340 reflects strong earning potential for a master’s-level role. Many top-ranked states and metro areas show even higher pay, suggesting room for advancement and geographic choice. The work draws heavily on interpersonal skills, problem solving, critical thinking, and adaptability, appealing to people who enjoy working closely with others and tackling complex challenges. Leadership, project management, and communication skills also feature prominently, supporting progression into more senior or specialized roles over time. Overall, the career offers a blend of stable demand, clear educational expectations, and a broad skill profile that can support long-term professional growth.
Occupational therapists earn a national median annual salary of $98,340, reflecting solid compensation for a profession that typically requires a master’s degree. Salaries can vary notably by location. Among top states, California stands out with a median salary of $124,510, while Washington and Colorado offer median salaries of $107,670 and $106,720, respectively. Massachusetts and New York also provide median pay at or above $96,390. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, show especially high median salaries of $136,870 and $136,770. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV; and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro areas all offer median pay above $100,000. This range suggests that occupational therapists have opportunities to increase earnings by targeting higher-paying states and metro areas while building experience and skills.
Occupational therapists benefit from a positive employment outlook supported by both current job levels and future projections. National employment is 160,000, indicating a substantial established workforce. Projected employment growth of 13.8% points to continued expansion of job opportunities over time. In addition, there are 10,000 annual openings, combining new positions with turnover-related needs. This mix suggests that people entering the field, as well as professionals looking to relocate or advance, can expect ongoing opportunities to compete for roles. Growth of 13.8% is also reflected consistently across top states and metro areas listed, reinforcing that the positive outlook is not limited to a single region. For students and career changers, these indicators show that occupational therapy is positioned as a growing profession with frequent openings, which can support both entry into the field and long-term career movement.
Location can shape both opportunity and earning potential for occupational therapists. Among states, California has the highest median salary at $124,510 and employment of 13,810, with an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York follow, with median salaries of $100,930 and $96,390 and opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78. Colorado and Washington offer median salaries above $106,000 and opportunity scores in the mid-50s. This shows that some states combine strong pay with sizable employment bases and solid overall opportunity scores. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ lead with the highest opportunity scores of 77.42 and 77.27, signaling especially strong local conditions. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV; and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also have high scores and median salaries above $100,000, giving occupational therapists multiple regions to consider when prioritizing pay and opportunity.
Occupational therapists typically need a master’s degree, which sets a clear educational threshold for entering the field. This advanced education supports the broad and rigorous skill set associated with the role. Key strengths for success include interpersonal skills, speaking and listening, and leadership, all of which help therapists work effectively with others and guide processes. Critical and analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making, and science skills reflect the importance of structured reasoning and evidence-based approaches. Writing and reading skills support clear documentation and understanding of information, while project management skills contribute to organizing tasks and managing time and resources. Adaptability and creativity and innovation round out the profile, highlighting the value of responding flexibly to changing situations and generating new approaches. Together, the master’s degree requirement and these core skills indicate a profession that rewards both formal education and well-developed cognitive, organizational, and communication abilities.
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