Occupational Therapy Provider Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
A master’s degree in occupational therapy is required in order to become an occupational therapy provider. It is also important to pass national and state level examinations and have six months of field work under the supervision of an authorized expert.
Training and Education
You'll generally want a master's degree for this career path. Of current occupational therapy providers, 90% graduated from college with degrees. Some 9% of workers attened college but did not go on to get a bachelor's degree.
Job Overview
Occupational therapy providers help people who suffer from mental, emotional and physical conditions of disability. They assist these patients live their lives as normally and easily as possible. They try to help patients live independent and fulfilling lives.
Job Requirements
Most states control the practice of occupational therapy. Licensure and the title of Occupational Therapist Registered is earned after passing the national certification examination. Occupational therapists who wish to work in early intervention plans may also need to have a certificate for educational practice.
Occupational therapy providers should add to their professional growth by enrolling in ongoing education programs in their field of work. They should also participate in workshops. In many states, continuing education is required in order to maintain licensure.
Occupational therapy providers need to earn the faith and respect of their patients in order to help them in the easiest way possible. Strong interpersonal skills are an important requirement for an occupational therapy provider. Resourcefulness and creativity in adapting activities to individual requirements is an advantage.
Nature of Work
Occupational therapy providers help patients improve their basic motor activities. They also try to improve their reasoning skills and help them adapt to their condition in the easiest and most productive way possible. They help them do physical exercises so they are able to take care of their own everyday needs like dressing and eating. To patients who are permanently impaired, they teach the use of instruments like wheel chairs and dressing aids. They also chronicle the patients’ recovery rates for future references.
Occupational therapy providers working in hospitals and health care environments work in big rooms with the machines and tools that are required to help patients. They may have to be on their feet with patients for long periods of time. As such, they may suffer from stress and back problems. Those who opt for home care services spend a lot of time traveling from one appointment to the next.
Area Job Conditions
Finding employees is easiest in Haverhill (Massachusetts), Wichita Falls (Texas), and San Angelo (Texas), and by comparison more challenging in Huntsville (Alabama), Davenport (Iowa), and Bakersfield (California).
The pay is best in Terre Haute (Indiana), Naples (Florida), and Valdosta (Georgia) and worst in Phoenix (Arizona), Wichita Falls (Texas), and San Angelo (Texas).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Occupational therapy providers working part-time accounted for 30% of those employed in 2008. Self-employed workers represent an estimated 9% of the total.
Career Videos
Occupational Therapy Providers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $67,000 | 380 | +1% |
| Decatur | $65,000 | 30 | -17% |
| Gadsden | $68,000 | 70 | +212% |
| Huntsville | $54,000 | 70 | -55% |
| Mobile | $59,000 | 60 | -54% |
| Montgomery | $67,000 | 50 | -58% |
| Tuscaloosa | $64,000 | 50 | -22% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $81,000 | 100 | -19% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $64,000 | 890 | -34% |
| Prescott | $77,000 | 150 | +311% |
| Tucson | $80,000 | 310 | +20% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $73,000 | 140 | -7% |
| Jonesboro | $73,000 | 40 | +29% |
| Little Rock | $74,000 | 330 | +26% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $86,000 | 60 | -69% |
| Fresno | $87,000 | 110 | -54% |
| Los Angeles | $85,000 | 2,320 | -26% |
| Modesto | $68,000 | 90 | -21% |
| Oakland | $89,000 | 690 | -10% |
| Oxnard | $85,000 | 170 | -24% |
| Redding | $86,000 | 60 | +47% |
| Riverside | $85,000 | 370 | -60% |
| Sacramento | $85,000 | 420 | -37% |
| Salinas | $85,000 | 70 | -40% |
| San Diego | $82,000 | 910 | -10% |
| San Francisco | $88,000 | 400 | -48% |
| San Jose | $88,000 | 510 | -26% |
| Santa Ana | $80,000 | 1,060 | -5% |
| Santa Barbara | $84,000 | 90 | -27% |
| Santa Rosa | $75,000 | 80 | -38% |
| Stockton | $89,000 | 80 | -49% |
| Vallejo | $82,000 | 30 | -65% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $74,000 | 170 | +51% |
| Colorado Springs | $72,000 | 220 | +16% |
| Denver | $74,000 | 1,210 | +26% |
| Fort Collins | $68,000 | 190 | +109% |
| Grand Junction | $66,000 | 30 | -22% |
| Greeley | $78,000 | 80 | +59% |
| Pueblo | $77,000 | 60 | +55% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $78,000 | 300 | -7% |
| Danbury | $75,000 | 60 | +27% |
| Hartford | $82,000 | 830 | +89% |
| New Haven | $74,000 | 240 | +17% |
| Norwich | $79,000 | 110 | +24% |
| Waterbury | $85,000 | 90 | +92% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $74,000 | 290 | +18% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $80,000 | 950 | -49% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $84,000 | 120 | -16% |
| Deltona | $75,000 | 140 | +25% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $88,000 | 420 | -21% |
| Gainesville | $60,000 | 200 | +128% |
| Jacksonville | $82,000 | 550 | +20% |
| Lakeland | $68,000 | 80 | -43% |
| Miami | $72,000 | 710 | -6% |
| Naples | $86,000 | 90 | +12% |
| Ocala | $81,000 | 70 | +13% |
| Orlando | $65,000 | 670 | -14% |
| Palm Bay | $69,000 | 210 | +43% |
| Panama City | $71,000 | 30 | -37% |
| Pensacola | $79,000 | 90 | -17% |
| Port St Lucie | $87,000 | 80 | -7% |
| Punta Gorda | $74,000 | 50 | +96% |
| Sarasota | $62,000 | 280 | +52% |
| Sebastian | $77,000 | 60 | +90% |
| Tallahassee | $73,000 | 120 | +1% |
| Tampa | $88,000 | 1,330 | +51% |
| West Palm Beach | $76,000 | 350 | -12% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $67,000 | 1,180 | -34% |
| Augusta | $62,000 | 140 | -8% |
| Columbus | $72,000 | 40 | -50% |
| Gainesville | $69,000 | 30 | -38% |
| Macon | $73,000 | 110 | +72% |
| Rome | $84,000 | 40 | +76% |
| Savannah | $74,000 | 70 | -36% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $67,000 | 170 | -49% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $64,000 | 210 | +7% |
| Idaho Falls | $64,000 | 30 | -4% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $68,000 | 40 | -18% |
| Champaign | $87,000 | 50 | -32% |
| Chicago | $76,000 | 3,090 | +6% |
| Decatur | $70,000 | 50 | +66% |
| Peoria | $66,000 | 110 | -12% |
| Rockford | $73,000 | 120 | +17% |
| Springfield | $52,000 | 30 | -61% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $62,000 | 30 | -38% |
| Elkhart | $79,000 | 50 | -35% |
| Evansville | $65,000 | 190 | +51% |
| Fort Wayne | $76,000 | 180 | +19% |
| Gary | $84,000 | 170 | -16% |
| Indianapolis | $74,000 | 850 | +24% |
| Kokomo | $66,000 | 50 | +97% |
| Lafayette | $63,000 | 80 | +52% |
| South Bend | $55,000 | 90 | -4% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport | $71,000 | 150 | +9% |
| Des Moines | $62,000 | 190 | -24% |
| Dubuque | $57,000 | 30 | -17% |
| Iowa City | $68,000 | 50 | +2% |
| Waterloo | $64,000 | 60 | -1% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | $72,000 | 40 | +40% |
| Manhattan | $73,000 | 30 | -15% |
| Topeka | $70,000 | 170 | +114% |
| Wichita | $77,000 | 190 | -12% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $86,000 | 110 | +191% |
| Elizabethtown | $93,000 | 70 | +138% |
| Lexington | $74,000 | 160 | -11% |
| Louisville | $72,000 | 540 | +16% |
| Owensboro | $65,000 | 50 | +58% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $73,000 | 70 | +59% |
| Baton Rouge | $75,000 | 310 | +10% |
| Lafayette | $73,000 | 70 | -33% |
| Lake Charles | $85,000 | 90 | +44% |
| Monroe | $75,000 | 60 | +12% |
| New Orleans | $70,000 | 280 | -31% |
| Shreveport | $71,000 | 120 | -10% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $61,000 | 90 | +114% |
| Lewiston | $65,000 | 40 | +18% |
| Portland | $65,000 | 310 | +108% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $79,000 | 1,350 | +34% |
| Bethesda | $81,000 | 500 | +13% |
| Cumberland | $74,000 | 60 | +151% |
| Hagerstown | $70,000 | 80 | +16% |
| Salisbury | $80,000 | 40 | +10% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $77,000 | 130 | +83% |
| Boston | $74,000 | 2,110 | +57% |
| Brockton | $72,000 | 90 | +41% |
| Framingham | $70,000 | 130 | +8% |
| Haverhill | $66,000 | 210 | +264% |
| Lawrence | $67,000 | 100 | +145% |
| Leominster | $72,000 | 80 | +141% |
| Lowell | $72,000 | 110 | +27% |
| New Bedford | $76,000 | 170 | +281% |
| Peabody | $78,000 | 170 | +134% |
| Springfield | $67,000 | 360 | +60% |
| Taunton | $74,000 | 40 | +34% |
| Worcester | $72,000 | 400 | +112% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $60,000 | 230 | +87% |
| Battle Creek | $66,000 | 100 | +187% |
| Bay City | $58,000 | 40 | +92% |
| Detroit | $69,000 | 720 | +40% |
| Flint | $62,000 | 190 | +101% |
| Grand Rapids | $64,000 | 460 | +60% |
| Holland | $60,000 | 50 | -27% |
| Jackson | $57,000 | 30 | -8% |
| Kalamazoo | $63,000 | 130 | +31% |
| Lansing | $65,000 | 160 | +9% |
| Monroe | $63,000 | 30 | +27% |
| Muskegon | $63,000 | 90 | +137% |
| Niles | $63,000 | 30 | -24% |
| Saginaw | $66,000 | 90 | +56% |
| Warren | $73,000 | 1,030 | +24% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $61,000 | 90 | -5% |
| Mankato | $52,000 | 90 | +135% |
| Minneapolis | $65,000 | 1,170 | -15% |
| Rochester | $68,000 | 140 | +91% |
| St Cloud | $66,000 | 90 | +32% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $78,000 | 70 | -9% |
| Hattiesburg | $71,000 | 40 | +3% |
| Jackson | $70,000 | 290 | +52% |
| Pascagoula | $68,000 | 50 | +62% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $69,000 | 70 | +137% |
| Columbia | $63,000 | 100 | +78% |
| Joplin | $69,000 | 60 | +8% |
| Kansas City | $67,000 | 850 | +9% |
| Springfield | $79,000 | 210 | +48% |
| St Joseph | $71,000 | 40 | +17% |
| St Louis | $67,000 | 1,200 | +17% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $57,000 | 50 | -16% |
| Great Falls | $54,000 | 40 | +68% |
| Missoula | $64,000 | 40 | +13% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $66,000 | 110 | -7% |
| Omaha | $66,000 | 390 | +9% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $85,000 | 490 | -25% |
| Reno | $77,000 | 180 | +27% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $60,000 | 110 | +48% |
| Nashua | $54,000 | 110 | +10% |
| Rochester | $59,000 | 70 | +93% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $82,000 | 70 | -34% |
| Camden | $82,000 | 510 | +27% |
| Edison | $82,000 | 1,040 | +32% |
| Newark | $84,000 | 870 | +13% |
| Trenton | $81,000 | 200 | +18% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $64,000 | 270 | -8% |
| Las Cruces | $60,000 | 50 | +13% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $64,000 | 350 | +2% |
| Binghamton | $71,000 | 90 | +11% |
| Buffalo | $62,000 | 600 | +42% |
| Elmira | $64,000 | 60 | +141% |
| Glens Falls | $60,000 | 40 | +13% |
| Kingston | $73,000 | 50 | +21% |
| Nassau | $74,000 | 990 | +1% |
| New York | $74,000 | 3,880 | -3% |
| Poughkeepsie | $74,000 | 190 | +3% |
| Rochester | $65,000 | 470 | +22% |
| Syracuse | $60,000 | 220 | -7% |
| Utica | $65,000 | 150 | +66% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $77,000 | 190 | +45% |
| Burlington | $71,000 | 30 | -22% |
| Charlotte | $79,000 | 480 | -27% |
| Durham | $68,000 | 260 | +25% |
| Fayetteville | $70,000 | 60 | -35% |
| Greensboro | $76,000 | 190 | -30% |
| Greenville | $76,000 | 60 | +28% |
| Hickory | $64,000 | 80 | -26% |
| Raleigh | $68,000 | 400 | +1% |
| Rocky Mount | $76,000 | 80 | +103% |
| Wilmington | $58,000 | 150 | +51% |
| Winston Salem | $67,000 | 210 | +34% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $53,000 | 90 | +100% |
| Fargo | $62,000 | 100 | +13% |
| Grand Forks | $67,000 | 40 | +24% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $71,000 | 190 | -22% |
| Canton | $85,000 | 140 | +14% |
| Cincinnati | $73,000 | 780 | 0% |
| Cleveland | $80,000 | 1,080 | +37% |
| Columbus | $69,000 | 940 | +33% |
| Dayton | $76,000 | 280 | -4% |
| Lima | $69,000 | 40 | +14% |
| Mansfield | $77,000 | 50 | +43% |
| Toledo | $75,000 | 250 | +13% |
| Youngstown | $69,000 | 210 | +24% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $66,000 | 440 | -1% |
| Tulsa | $58,000 | 360 | +10% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $66,000 | 60 | +38% |
| Eugene | $75,000 | 50 | -51% |
| Medford | $67,000 | 50 | -8% |
| Portland | $72,000 | 610 | -22% |
| Salem | $72,000 | 60 | -45% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $77,000 | 410 | +56% |
| Altoona | $63,000 | 90 | +116% |
| Erie | $64,000 | 110 | +18% |
| Harrisburg | $78,000 | 240 | -1% |
| Johnstown | $53,000 | 90 | +136% |
| Lancaster | $70,000 | 190 | +8% |
| Philadelphia | $72,000 | 1,920 | +30% |
| Pittsburgh | $66,000 | 1,430 | +62% |
| Reading | $76,000 | 180 | +46% |
| Scranton | $72,000 | 290 | +48% |
| Williamsport | $59,000 | 40 | +15% |
| York | $68,000 | 100 | -23% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $73,000 | 520 | +22% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $80,000 | 40 | +4% |
| Charleston | $66,000 | 250 | +15% |
| Columbia | $73,000 | 260 | -2% |
| Florence | $71,000 | 70 | +26% |
| Greenville | $66,000 | 140 | -38% |
| Spartanburg | $75,000 | 50 | -40% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $62,000 | 40 | -9% |
| Sioux Falls | $63,000 | 140 | +38% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $76,000 | 300 | +76% |
| Clarksville | $68,000 | 150 | +173% |
| Jackson | $57,000 | 80 | +99% |
| Johnson City | $72,000 | 60 | +20% |
| Kingsport | $78,000 | 50 | -43% |
| Knoxville | $80,000 | 250 | -1% |
| Memphis | $73,000 | 330 | -30% |
| Nashville | $72,000 | 590 | +4% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $84,000 | 30 | -31% |
| Amarillo | $81,000 | 100 | +31% |
| Austin | $71,000 | 490 | -19% |
| Beaumont | $90,000 | 50 | -58% |
| Brownsville | $74,000 | 90 | -5% |
| Corpus Christi | $74,000 | 50 | -62% |
| Dallas | $89,000 | 2,240 | +38% |
| El Paso | $79,000 | 210 | +2% |
| Fort Worth | $79,000 | 490 | -26% |
| Houston | $77,000 | 1,550 | -24% |
| Killeen | $79,000 | 60 | -36% |
| Laredo | 80 | +45% | |
| Longview | $90,000 | 30 | -56% |
| Lubbock | $69,000 | 70 | -23% |
| Mcallen | $89,000 | 170 | -1% |
| Odessa | $79,000 | 30 | -22% |
| San Antonio | $77,000 | 600 | -11% |
| Sherman | $93,000 | 60 | +121% |
| Tyler | $82,000 | 120 | +88% |
| Waco | $76,000 | 60 | -16% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | $70,000 | 100 | -33% |
| Provo | $67,000 | 50 | -60% |
| Salt Lake City | $67,000 | 180 | -61% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $66,000 | 70 | -13% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $71,000 | 40 | -4% |
| Charlottesville | $75,000 | 90 | +47% |
| Lynchburg | $73,000 | 90 | +28% |
| Richmond | $76,000 | 550 | +17% |
| Roanoke | $78,000 | 110 | -4% |
| Virginia Beach | $75,000 | 470 | -19% |
| Winchester | $79,000 | 60 | +80% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $81,000 | 40 | -22% |
| Bremerton | $68,000 | 60 | +3% |
| Kennewick | $72,000 | 40 | -44% |
| Mount Vernon | $77,000 | 30 | +2% |
| Olympia | $66,000 | 90 | +27% |
| Seattle | $71,000 | 760 | -30% |
| Spokane | $68,000 | 260 | +70% |
| Tacoma | $65,000 | 340 | +71% |
| Yakima | $78,000 | 40 | -32% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $55,000 | 100 | -6% |
| Huntington | $73,000 | 70 | -15% |
| Morgantown | 70 | +94% | |
| Wheeling | $70,000 | 40 | -11% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $65,000 | 110 | +33% |
| Eau Claire | $65,000 | 60 | +16% |
| Fond | $68,000 | 30 | +6% |
| Green Bay | $62,000 | 120 | -3% |
| Janesville | $64,000 | 60 | +38% |
| La Crosse | $65,000 | 90 | +80% |
| Madison | $68,000 | 350 | +36% |
| Milwaukee | $61,000 | 910 | +42% |
| Oshkosh | $65,000 | 70 | +13% |
| Racine | $62,000 | 80 | +54% |
| Sheboygan | $63,000 | 30 | -21% |
| Wausau | $61,000 | 50 | +9% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casper | $70,000 | 30 | +27% |
| Cheyenne | $69,000 | 60 | +114% |