What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is a type of therapy that helps people improve their ability to do everyday activities. These activities can be things like getting dressed, eating, playing sports, doing school work, and so much more!
Are you someone who likes to…
Careers in Occupational Therapy Cover All Areas of Life. What interests YOU?
Working with
Kids
[/fusion_title]
Working with
Older People
Engaging in Mental Health Solutions
CHOOSE
Occupational Therapy
FOR YOUR CAREER
CHOOSE
Occupational Therapy
FOR YOUR CAREER
Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession that helps people do the everyday activities that matter most to them—like getting dressed, eating, playing sports, learning, or even using technology. OT professionals work with people of all ages to overcome challenges, regain independence, and participate fully in life!
Learn more about occupational therapy and its benefits.
Occupations are the activities that people do every day to give their life meaning and purpose. Occupations can be done alone or with family members and friends. These activities can be related to:
- Taking care of your body: Bathing, dressing, eating, sexuality, hygiene, toileting, etc.
- Supporting daily living within the home and community: Care of others or pets, driving, shopping, meal prep, communication management, etc.
- Rest and sleep to support healthy, active engagement in other occupations: Engaging, preparing, participating in sleep
- Learning and participating in the educational environment: School participation or personal education
- Committed occupations with or without financial reward: Ensuring you have the skills necessary to perform tasks related to work
- Activities that provide enjoyment, entertainment and amusement: Play exploration and participation
- Leisure: Golf, playing cards, exploring, etc.
- Desired engagement in community and family activities: Family time, friends, peers, etc.
Learn more about occupations and how OT helps improve them.
Occupational therapy (OT) is all about helping people do important activities in their everyday lives. Occupational therapy professionals work with people of all ages who have challenges with their bodies, thinking, learning, or emotions that make it hard to do daily activities. They help them become independent, learn new skills, make changes to their surroundings, and feel better overall.
Physical therapy (PT) helps people move better and become stronger. Physical therapists work with those who have problems with their bodies, like injuries or difficulties moving. They help them get stronger, more flexible, and able to do things they want to do physically.
PTs help people to walk, OTs help them to dance!
Learn more about the differences between OT and PT.
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.
The OT and OTA work together. The OT evaluates the client, plans activities that will help the client feel better and get stronger, and completes discharge documents. The OT also provides clinical supervision of the OTA. The OTA implements and documents the activities, and provides feedback to the OT on the client’s progress during treatment.
Learn more about occupational therapists.
Learn more about occupational therapy assistants.
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.
Yes, occupational therapy is a field of study that you can major in at many community colleges and universities. To become an occupational therapist, you typically need to earn a bachelor’s degree in a related field like psychology, biology, or kinesiology and then complete a master’s or doctoral program in occupational therapy. If you’re interested in becoming an occupational therapy assistant, you can earn an associate’s degree in occupational therapy, and many community colleges offer these programs.
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.
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
Day in the Life of an OT student!
Join us for a day in the life…
Stay “In the Know”
Sign up to receive our updates and learn more about OT careers!
