Explore Occupational Therapy Careers with Students
Working in occupational therapy is:
Occupational therapy professionals:
Encourage your students to explore a career in occupational therapy!
Do your Students like to…
Occupational therapy might be the career path for them! Encourage them to take our quiz and learn more about the field of OT.
OT is a field that’s GROWING – and much faster than other occupations!
Occupational Therapists
Employment rates are projected to grow by 14% leading up to 2034.
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Employment rates are projected to grow by 18% leading up to 2034.
Source: U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics, August 2025
Careers in Occupational Therapy Cover All Areas of Life. What interests your students?
Working with
Kids
Working with
Older People
Engaging in Mental Health Solutions
Use Our Free Resources!
Help spread the word about careers in OT by using our handouts and presentations at your schools or career fairs.
Our “Application Process” resources include tools to help guide students through the application process for OT/OTA school, apply for financial aid and scholarships, and also cover tips for writing personal statements, acing the interview, and more!
CHOOSE
Occupational Therapy
CHOOSE
Occupational Therapy
After finishing high school, you’ll go to college and study occupational therapy. Then, you’ll need to pass a national board certification exam to become a professional occupational therapy practitioner and start helping people in hospitals, schools, or other places where they need support.
Lean more about how to become an occupational therapy practitioner.
The amount of time will depend if you want to become an occupational therapist (OT) or occupational therapy assistant (OTA). An OT requires a minimum of a master’s degree, while an OTA is a minimum of an associate’s degree.
If you’re thinking about studying occupational therapy, there are plenty of schools that can help you get started. Many community colleges, universities, and colleges have programs for aspiring occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. These programs vary, offering associate degrees, entry-level master’s programs, and even doctoral programs. Use our Occupational Therapy Programs directory to search and find OT and OTA programs in the United States that might be the right fit for you.
You might wonder what to major in before entering the Occupational Therapy field. The good news is that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer! OT programs value diverse backgrounds, so students come from various undergraduate majors. Common ones include psychology, biology, and sociology, but there are OT students with degrees in art, engineering, or business. No matter your major, as long as you meet program prerequisites, you’re on the right track. Having a unique background can bring fresh perspectives to the field. Ready to pursue a career as an Occupational Therapist or an Occupational Therapy assistant? Follow the OT Career Path to get you there.
Occupational therapy is a well-paying profession. The amount of money you can make as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant can vary depending on several factors, such as where you work and how much experience you have.
Occupational therapists make a competitive salary, with a median annual wage of $96,790 in 2023, and the top 10 percent earning over $129,620. As an occupational therapy assistant, you can also expect a good salary, with a median annual wage of $68,170 and the top 10 percent earning over $89,230 in 2023. But remember, it’s not just about the money; it’s about making a positive impact on people’s lives. Salary information for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants is based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
I am applying to OT/OTA school but need help figuring out the application process. Where do I start?
If you are ready to get started on your OT school journey, we have tools and tips to help you apply to occupational therapist school or to apply to occupational therapy assistant school. Our resources help simplify the process from prepping and submitting your application, to preparing for your OT school interview, and applying for scholarships and financial aid and more.
Use all of our application process resources to help guide your way through this important journey.
From tips for filling out the FAFSA, to exploring state grants and scholarships, our Financial Aid and Scholarships Guide for OT/OTA Programs will help you navigate the financial part of your OT program journey.
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