Occupational therapists (OTs) help patients achieve more out of life. Patients of all ages work with OTs – from the elderly needing help with the pains of growing old to the very young needing help with childhood disabilities. While you may have already known the basic job outline of an OT, here are a few facts you should know.
1: You can make more than $80,150 a year.
You shouldn’t expect to make this much right out of school. In fact, the median salary for an OT is around $80,150 a year according the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However the top 10% of occupational therapist make around $90,150 a year. So there is room for growth in this job market in terms of salary.
2: As an OT, you have the opportunity to work in many different settings.
About 26% of OTs work in a hospital setting, which is where you might expect to see one. However, here are some other settings where many OTs work.
21% – Schools
19% – Nursing Homes
9% – Outpatient Clinics
6% – Home Health
5% – Academia
3: The job market for an occupational therapist is growing quickly – quicker than the national average.
Healthcare jobs are on the rise across the industry. OT jobs are no exception! From the year 2014 to the year 2024, the job market is expected to grow 27%. That is much higher than the national average.
4: You can make a difference and keep your sanity while doing it.
OTs work directly with patients to help them overcome obstacles in their lives. You get the satisfaction of knowing you are directly helping people on a daily basis. Occupational therapists is listed as one of the top 10 least stressful jobs by Career Cast. You can make a difference in people’s lives as an OT. However, you can do it without losing your own sanity. It’s a win-win for everyone.
If you are interested in becoming an OT there is no better time then now to get started.
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