When a person suffers from an illness, injury, or disability, it can often be difficult for them to live and work independently. Occupational therapists partner alongside these individuals, leveraging clinical experience and education to help patients improve their physical condition and regain the skills they need to participate in daily activities. In this blog, we’re going to dive deep into the occupational therapist salary and job outlook as of 2024, and explain why becoming a travel occupational therapist is a rewarding and worthwhile career.
What does an occupational therapist do?
Occupational therapists are licensed medical professionals who help people of all ages with illness, injury, or disability build independence and the skills they need to perform daily tasks, also known as “occupations.”
These daily tasks can range from something as simple as bathing yourself, to re-learning how to use a computer for work, to going to the grocery store with less outside assistance. Occupational therapists meet patients where they are and provide equipment and other interventions to help them become more self-sufficient in their daily lives.
While occupational therapists often work with people who have recently suffered from a serious physical injury like bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, or strokes, they also work with patients who have other illnesses and disabilities. For example, occupational therapists often work with those who suffer from cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis (MS). cancer or other chronic illnesses. In addition, occupational therapists provide support to people with disabilities like autism and down syndrome.
How much do occupational therapists make?
The median annual occupational therapist salary was $96,370 in 2023, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Some occupational therapists earn more while others earn less, however—BLS data shows that the bottom 10% of occupational therapists earned less than $62,210 while the top 10% earned more than $129,620.
The annual median occupational therapist salary is heavily influenced by where the clinician works. According to the BLS, occupational therapists who work in home healthcare services made $104,790, while those who worked in educational services made $81,620.
Travel occupational therapists, on the other hand, often make more than their permanent counterparts due to demand for their services. In fact, Barton Healthcare Staffing estimates that a travel occupational therapist can make 14.7% more than those on full-time staff positions.
Highest-Paying States for Occupational Therapists
The annual mean occupational therapist salary highly depends on the state. According to the BLS, the top five highest=paying states for occupational therapists are:
- California — $113,550
- New York — $107,530
- Nevada — $107,070
- New Jersey — $105,880
- Colorado — $104,950
What is the job outlook for occupational therapists?
Occupational therapy is growing faster than the average for all other occupations, according to the BLS—in fact, employment of occupational therapists is projected to increase by 11% from 2023 to 2032.
This equates to a growth of 16,800 occupational therapists between that 10-year period, with the BLS projecting that the number of occupational therapists will increase from 150,500 to 167,300 in that time.
How to Become an Occupational Therapist
To become an occupational therapist, you must follow a few key steps. The first step is to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a related field, like health science or psychology.
During your time in undergrad, you’ll want to take prerequisite courses that an occupational therapy graduate program may require. This will depend on the institution at which you decide to pursue your graduate degree.
After you’re finished with your undergraduate degree, the next step is to choose a graduate degree program and work to earn your Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DOT) degrees.
Once you’ve earned your graduate degree, you’re close to becoming a fully-fledged occupational therapist, but first, you must become certified. Occupational therapists must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam, and once that’s done, you can get licensed in the state in which you want to practice.
Why become a travel occupational therapist?
One of the biggest reasons to take a travel occupational therapy job in 2024 is because of a booming temporary allied health staffing market— in fact, the market grew by 8% in 2023, according to Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA).
Becoming a travel occupational therapist with Barton Healthcare Staffing also offers several other key advantages over permanent roles, including:
- Increased compensation
- More flexible scheduling options
- Opportunities to work in different locations across the country
- Exposure to diverse practice settings
- Support with licensing and credentialing processes
- Assistance arranging travel and accommodations
Find Your Next Travel Occupational Therapy Job with BHS
Want to become a travel clinician and potentially earn a higher occupational therapist salary? Check out our job board and apply today, or reach out to one of our skilled recruiters to get started.