Occupational Therapy Jobs in the United States

Occupational Therapy Jobs Overview

Looking for a healthcare job with a bright future? The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that occupational therapy jobs will see a 14% growth over the next 10 years—much faster than other jobs on average. Occupational therapists work closely with patients who have an injury, illness, or disability to help them learn and improve the skills they need to succeed in everyday life and work.

This might include fitting a patient with leg braces to help them walk again after a debilitating injury or assessing a patient’s house or school and devising ways to modify the space. An occupational therapist might also help people with mental health conditions deal with everyday activities like doing household chores, riding public transportation, and budgeting for household needs.

Completing a master’s or doctoral degree on top of your bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy will give you access to better-paid opportunities. Take a look at Monster’s sample job description to see what else you might need to get a job as an OTR.

The top cities in the U.S. for occupational therapy jobs are:

• New York
• Los Angeles
• Houston

Salaries for Occupational Therapy Jobs

Monster’s research shows that the median pay for an occupational therapist in the U.S. is $38.31 an hour within a range from $22.35 to $45.55 depending on location. Calculate what you might make as an OTR in your part of the country using Monster’s Salary Tools. We’ll also show you the national average OTR pay and some suggestions for the next steps in your career.

How to Find the Occupational Therapy Job That Fits You

Finding the right occupational therapy job is crucial, not just for your professional growth but also for personal satisfaction. Here are some guiding questions and tips:

• What’s your preferred setting? Occupational therapists can work in a variety of settings from hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, and home health, to skilled nursing facilities. Reflect on where you feel you can make the most impact and where you’d be happiest.
• Do you have a specialty or area of interest? If you do, look for positions or facilities that allow you to focus on that.
• What is your preferred patient-to-therapist ratio? Some settings might have you working with multiple patients at once, while others may offer one-on-one sessions. Decide which you’re more comfortable with.
• How important is professional development to you? Look for employers who offer, or are supportive of, continuing education and training opportunities.

Analyze the Job Descriptions

Here are three reasons why thoroughly reading job descriptions is essential:

• To fully understand the job responsibilities. Occupational therapy jobs can vary widely based on the setting and population served. For example: a position in a school setting assisting children with developmental disorders will be vastly different from one in a geriatric setting focusing on improving daily living skills.
• To evaluate the fit. Only by reading the description can you be sure if the position aligns with your career goals, values, and interests. For example, if you’re passionate about assistive technology and the listing mentions a significant focus on this, it might be a dream role for you.
• To note important application details. Some listings have specific instructions, like including a reference number or addressing your cover letter to a particular person. Following these requirements shows that you’re attentive and serious about the role.

Research the Organization

Narrow down the places you would like to work to find your best fit. Look up a company to learn insights into the work environment and the approach they take to care. Here are some of the things you should research:

• company goals and mission statements
• reviews by former and current employees and clients
• where and with whom you are likely to work

How to Apply for Occupational Therapy Jobs

Landing your dream job in occupational therapy involves more than just having the right qualifications. It’s about showcasing them brilliantly.

Update Your Occupational Therapy Resume

Throughout your education and experience, you’ve been building a bank of information to include on your occupational therapy resume. Follow these tips to best optimize it:

• Use the job description to tweak your resume to match specific requirements. Look for keywords repeatedly mentioned and add them to your resume, such as rehabilitation, treatment planning, hand therapy, time management, and group therapy.
• Lists core competencies right under a professional summary.
• Include certifications or training prerequisites.

Add a Cover Letter

You’ll also need a good occupational therapy cover letter to send with your resume. Here are a few tips to help you craft an effective letter:

• Personalize it: Address the hiring manager by name if possible.
• Share a success story: Describe a particular case where your intervention made a significant difference to show your hands-on experience.
• Relate to the facility: Mention why you’re drawn to this specific employer.
• Close with enthusiasm: Express eagerness for an interview and reiterate how your skills align with their needs.

Submit Your Application

Speed up your job search by creating a profile on Monster and following these tips:

• Upload your resume so we can connect you with recruiters looking for someone like you.
• Opt-in to receive new listings for occupational therapy jobs near you straight to your inbox.
• Browse Monster’s job board and click on “Apply” when you’re ready to send you tailored application material.
• Use your profile’s dashboard to keep track of your occupational therapy job

How to Follow Up on Your Applications

Following up post-application is a crucial step, setting you apart from other occupational therapy job candidates. Here’s a guide on how to do it right:

• Wait for the appropriate time, typically seven to ten days after submitting your application. It shows patience while also demonstrating your interest.
• Direct your follow-up to the department head or potential direct supervisor. If you don’t have specific names, you can reach out to the HR team.
• Sending an email is the most professional method as it allows the receiver to respond at their convenience.

Interviewing for Occupational Therapy Jobs

You’ve waited for an invitation to interview for an occupational therapist job. But when that call or email comes through, you might have a few butterflies in your stomach. Decrease your stress by practicing with sample questions and start to formulate your responses now so you can answer with ease during the interview.

Commonly Asked Job Interview Questions

Practice answering the following job interview questions for occupational therapists:

• Why did you choose occupational therapy as a career? This allows interviewers to gauge your passion and motivation for the field.
• How do you handle patients who are non-compliant or difficult to work with? This tests your problem-solving skills and patience.
• Describe a particularly challenging case you’ve dealt with and how you approached it. Show your clinical reasoning and adaptability in action.
• How do you handle disagreements or conflicts with colleagues? Teamwork and communication are vital in healthcare settings.
• Why are you interested in working at this particular facility/organization? This checks your motivation for choosing this specific job and your compatibility with their mission and values.
• Describe a situation where you had to adapt your treatment plan due to unforeseen challenges. This tests your adaptability and problem-solving skills.
• What’s your experience with interdisciplinary teamwork? Collaboration is crucial in most healthcare settings, so they might ask about your experiences working with other professionals.

How to Follow Up on Your Job Interviews

Following up after an interview for an occupational therapy job is a great way to express your continued interest and professionalism. Here’s how to do it:

• Send a concise follow-up email within 24 to 48 hours post-interview.
• If you interviewed with multiple people, consider sending individual, personalized emails. Use their names and reflect on specific parts of the conversation you had with each person.
• Thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to learn more about the role and the facility.
• Highlight a specific aspect of the job or organization that resonated with you or a memorable part of the interview that underscores your qualifications or enthusiasm.
• Proofread it for typos and ensure your tone is professional yet warm.

What to Do When You Get an Offer for an Occupational Therapy Job

Here’s how to navigate this crucial phase step by step:

1. Don’t leave the employer hanging. Acknowledge the offer within 24 hours.
2. Dive deep into the contract and understand every aspect, including job responsibilities, working hours, on-call duties, or requirements for additional training.
3. Research average salaries for occupational therapy jobs in your region to ensure you’re getting a competitive offer. Take into consideration non-salary benefits as well if you decide to negotiate.
4. Whether you accept or decline, express gratitude and remain professional.

Occupational Therapy Career Paths

Within the realm of occupational therapy, there are numerous paths tailored to various interests and specialties. Here are a few:

• Pediatric occupational therapist: works with children to improve their cognitive, physical, and motor skills.
• Mental health occupational therapist: uses therapeutic activities to help clients with mental health conditions or emotional disturbances.
• Neurological occupational therapist: supports patients with neurological disorders such as strokes, traumatic brain injuries, or Parkinson’s disease.
• Home health occupational therapist: visits patients in their homes, tailoring interventions to real-life settings.

Occupational Therapy Jobs: Similar Careers

If working in healthcare jobs interests you, you can expand your search to related roles such as:

• exercise physiologist jobs
• kinesiotherapist jobs
• chiropractor jobs