Occupational therapy is a fulfilling and rewarding career path. Thousands of people need help with recovery. Approximately 67% of the elderly population in the US suffers from two or more sensory impairments. However, this isn’t the end, many children are born with physical, sensory, cognitive, or psychosocial challenges, or many people develop them later in life due to trauma or injury. Hence, occupational therapy jobs are highly in demand. 

Occupational therapists help people overcome everyday occupational challenges and give them independence via therapeutic activities. This crucial role of occupational therapist jobs gives them their value and demand. Hence giving it promising job prospects. But finding jobs can be tough. This is why this blog will give you valuable insights to find the best occupational therapist jobs. 

Best Opportunities for Occupational Therapy Jobs

After you obtain your state license, now is the time to start looking for occupational therapist jobs. Finding a suitable job is essential for steady career growth. Occupational therapy jobs offer stable job prospects. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the projected growth of employment is 11% in the coming decade. This fast growth makes occupational therapy jobs among the fastest growing professions.

Occupational therapist jobs can be found in various healthcare settings, including:

• Hospitals: Most hospitals and healthcare facilities have OT jobs available in acute care, rehabilitation, and psychiatric departments.
• Clinics: Many specialized clinics and outpatient centers offer occupational therapist jobs. 
• Nursing homes: Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and elderly care facilities offer positions for occupational therapists. 
• Rehabilitation centers: Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation centers offer occupational therapy services.
• Mental health facilities: Psychiatric hospitals, asylums, and community mental health centers have jobs for occupational therapists.
• Home health agencies: Many home health agencies offer recovery care at home for acute or chronic patients, which requires OTs.
•  Special schools: School systems for special kids with physical, sensory, cognitive, or psychosocial challenges need occupational therapists to help them recover. 

Occupational therapy jobs have a stable career outlook. Hence, occupational therapists are offered good job security and competitive salaries. As the population grows old and physical, sensory, cognitive, or psychosocial challenges become more prevalent due to various reasons, the demand for occupational therapy jobs will continue to rise. 

Although there are approximately 9,800 new openings in the US each year. But if you are having a hard time finding the most suitable occupational therapist job, connecting with a healthcare staffing agency can help you in this regard. The best healthcare staffing agencies have listings of all the top occupational therapist jobs for full-time, part-time, or even travel jobs.

Occupational Therapist Salary Expectations

As you can see, the job outlook for occupational therapists is very promising, with numerous opportunities for job openings and growth. However, now you must be questioning how much occupational therapists make. 

An occupational therapist’s salary may vary based on several factors. Experience, location of employment, the demand in the area, and additional certifications all impact this. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary of occupational therapists in the United States is around $96,790 per year. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the salary progression is as follows:

• 25th percentile occupational therapy salary: Entry-level occupational therapist jobs or jobs in areas with less demand usually offer around $79,290 per year or $38.12 per hour.
• 75th percentile occupational therapy salary: Most occupational therapists with good experience in high-demand locations earn up to $109,480 per year. 
• Top earners occupational therapy salary: large hospitals and medical facilities in big cities often offer the highest occupational therapist salaries. Top earners can expect to earn up to $129,620 per year in some states and metropolitan areas with a high demand. 

If you have an adventurous soul, the full-time occupational therapist jobs may not be the cut for you. Hence, professionals with a passion for traveling can also go for travel occupational therapist jobs. It offers a lucrative option with a flexible schedule and many benefits and perks.

Top Locations for Occupational Therapy Jobs

If you are searching for occupational therapy jobs near me, understanding the factors impacting occupational therapist salary, especially the location, can be a game-changer. Salaries can vary significantly based on location. However, some states offer high wages due to high demands for occupational therapists and higher living costs. Here are some of the top locations with the highest-paying occupational therapist jobs:

1. California: There, you can find many occupational therapy jobs in hospitals and outpatient facilities. Hence, the salaries can go up to $113,550 per year with 12,470 employments. 
2. Texas: Here, you can find diverse high-paying occupational therapist jobs in schools, rehabs, or even home health jobs with salaries going up to $101,610 per year. There are around 10,570 available jobs.  
3. New York: There is a very high demand for occupational therapists in New York, especially in urban hospitals. Hence, the salaries here can go up to $107,530 with approximately 10,460 employments available.
4. Florida: Retirement communities and rehabilitation centers often hire occupational therapists in Florida at high wages. Hence, their average salaries are around $92,820 with approximately 8,100 employments. 
5. Illinois: Various mental health and pediatric care facilities have occupational therapy jobs. There are approximately 7,270 employments, while the average salary here is around $96,160, which is above the national average. 

Some other states also offer high wages. However, the job demand is not as high, resulting in a low number of employments. These states are Nevada with $107,070 annual salary, New Jersey with $105,880 per year, and Colorado with $104,950 annually. 

Tips to Find the Best Occupational Therapy Jobs

Finding the most suitable job can be tough and overwhelming. But don’t worry; here are a few tips to make your job hunt for occupational therapy jobs easier and faster.  

• Networking is the best way to find the best jobs. Therefore, you can connect with other occupational therapists and healthcare professionals to stay updated on new job openings. For this, attending seminars, workshops, and similar events is a great opportunity. 
• Occupational therapy jobs are available in diverse medical settings. Hence, be open to different medical settings and environments. You can find fast-paced work in hospitals and clinics or slow and steady roles in schools, home health, and adult day care centers. 
• Look beyond your area, as there are many states offering higher wages. You can expand your job search and even go for travel occupational therapy jobs.  
• Stau updated about new job openings and industry trends by connecting with multiple platforms, such as healthcare staffing agencies, hospital job boards, professional associations (AOTA), and travel therapy agencies. 

Final Thoughts 

Occupational therapy jobs offer a fulfilling and high-in-demand career prospect. The opportunities are highly diverse. Hence, if you enjoy working with kids, go for school or pediatric care centers; if you like serving the elderly, pick adult day care, SNFs, or acute care centers. In short, there are numerous opportunities in occupational therapy jobs that will suit your interests and career goals. Your options don’t end here; you can also go for travel occupational therapy jobs for more flexible assignments. 

So, if you are considering a career as an occupational therapist, connect with the best healthcare staffing agency and find the perfect job in the perfect location that suits your expertise and career goals!