Occupational Therapy Career Outlook
Occupational therapy is a unique profession because it helps people do things they want to do, such as recover from injury or regain skills, across their lifespan. St. Kate’s programs can help you prepare for an occupational therapy career in two roles: occupational therapy assistant (OTA) or occupational therapist (OT).
Explore each role’s potential and how St. Kate’s can help you reach your goal.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Role
If you want to begin helping people live their daily lives sooner, you might find your career niche as an occupational therapy assistant (OTA). The OTA career outlook is strong and full of opportunity. On its list of Best Health Care Support Jobs, U.S. News and World Report ranked the position of occupational therapy assistant No. 6 for 2026. The list weighs the job outlook, stress level, salary, and work-life balance of health care support positions in the U.S.
To join the profession, you must have an associate degree from an accredited OTA program and pass the NBCOT® exam for certification. In as few as 16 months, St. Catherine University’s online OTA program can launch your career by providing the skills and experience needed to take the NBCOT exam and earn your OTA certification confidently.
Our NBCOT Prep Coaching Program helps prepare students to sit for the exam after graduation.
Through the St. Kate’s OTA Program, I get to do something that I know that I’m called to do. I’m going to get to be in a field that really is impactful in people’s lives and is foundational to helping people have a great quality of life.
Kristi Baker, Class of August 2021
Occupational Therapist Role
Occupational therapists treat people who have disabilities, illnesses, or injuries to help them develop or maintain skills to work and live more independently.
If you are already an OTA and hold a bachelor’s degree, you might be eligible for St. Kate’s Occupational Therapy Bridge Program, which confers a Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy (MAOT) in as few as 20 months. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree as an OTA, St. Kate’s offers the Health Science – Pre OT – Bridge Track, in which an MAOT can be completed in seven semesters.
Both OT and OTA roles are in demand and offer a promising job outlook.
High Demand Occupations
Occupational therapy jobs in the U.S. are expected to grow faster than the national average for all occupations by 2034, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This translates to a combined 31,600 added jobs from 2024 to 2034.
In addition to a robust job market, an occupational therapy career can offer a competitive salary. As of May 2024, the annual median wage for OTAs was $68,340, while the median wage for OTs was $98,340, the BLS reported.
Opportunities for Advancement
An occupational therapy career provides many opportunities for advancement and growth. After working as an OTA, you could decide to pursue becoming an OT. St. Kate’s OT Bridge Program can help you reach that goal in less than two years.
OTAs and OTs can earn specialized certifications through several organizations. For example, the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America offers certifications for professionals who help clients use assistive technology. Experienced OTs and OTAs can earn advanced certifications through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Some of these specialty certifications include:
- Gerontology
- Pediatrics
- Physical Rehabilitation
See the organization’s website for eligibility requirements.
Diverse Profession
Occupational therapy is a highly diverse profession, and practitioners work full-time in various practice settings, from hospitals to schools to nursing homes.
According to the BLS, Occupational Therapy Practitioners (OTPs) work in rehabilitation clinics, nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities), hospitals, school settings, and home healthcare with other health professionals.
There are also various practice areas you can work in as an OTA or OT, such as with children and youth, the adult and senior population, and in overall health and wellness, to name a few. Occupational therapy is a diverse and expanding field where you can find the specialty and setting that best suits your strengths.
The Ultimate Guide to Occupational Therapy and OTA
Get answers to your questions about the field, about the OTA career path, and about St. Catherine University’s Online OTA program.
