Can You Live Comfortably As An Occupational Therapist?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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While you shouldn't base choosing to be an occupational therapist solely based on the salary, it is helpful to know that

you can live comfortably as an OT

. The national average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020) is $86,280 per year, which equates to $41.48 per hour.

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Can occupational therapist be self employed?

One in four and getting better. A new survey of members of the American Association shows that

more than 26 percent of occupational therapists nationwide are now self-employed

. The number of therapists who work for themselves has been steadily growing since 1982.

Are occupational therapists independent contractors?

Prior to AB 5, employers in the home health field correctly classified PTs, PTAs, OTs, COTAs, and STs as

independent contractors

. Therapists, as authorized by their license and scope of practice, independently evaluate, assess, and develop treatment plans for the specific needs of their patients.

How do occupational therapists make money?

  1. Work Multiple PRN Jobs Instead of One Full-time Position. This has been the best choice I made after OT school. …
  2. Rent Out a Room on Airbnb. A lot of people I know think this is a crazy idea. …
  3. Babysit. …
  4. Build Niche Websites. …
  5. Find a Product to Sell an Amazon.

What kind of occupational therapist makes the most money?

  • “Child Day Care Services” – $108,650.
  • Management of Companies and Enterprises – $101,540.
  • Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities – $93,870.
  • Nursing and Skilled Nursing Facilities – $90,660.
  • Home Health Services – $90,480.

Is Occupational Therapy harder than nursing?


Nursing is more difficult than Occupational Therapy

(OT) since it entails dealing with sick and dying patients, working long hours, and working shifts. However, being a nurse provides more income and a broader choice of job options to increase earning potential.

What is a contracted occupational therapist?

In an occupational therapist contract job,

you provide temporary help for employers

. In this role, you may help train people to overcome their physical or mental health issues and suggest treatment options so they can continue to work independently, all while you travel from assignment to assignment.

Can a physical therapist work independently?

A physical therapist creates the treatment plan after assessing the patient according to their needs and diagnosis. A PTA helps carry out the treatment with the patient. In this sense,

a PT assistant can work independently with the patient

.

Are physical therapists self-employed?

Although physical therapists (PT) work in the notoriously stressful medical field, they enjoy some unique advantages over ER nurses and doctors. … Secondly,

many physical therapists are self-employed

— which means they don't have to deal with the stress of a boss breathing down their neck while they work.

Where do the highest paid occupational therapists work?

The top-paying places of employment with the highest average annual salaries for this career include

child day care services ($108,650)

, management of companies and enterprises ($101,540), continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly ($93,870), nursing care facilities ($90,660) …

How much do private OTs make?

Wages* Low (5th percentile) Median Starting $31.70 $33.57 Overall

$39.82

$45.70
Top $49.09 $49.65

Is becoming an OT worth it?

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a

very rewarding profession

. They help people of all ages who would typically struggle to perform normal daily activities. It's challenging and impactful work that patients and their families greatly appreciate.

Is being an OT difficult?

The short answer is:

YES, occupational therapy school is hard

. … These programs want to ensure you're equipped to competently and safely work in the healthcare field, so you're going to have a good amount of science classes involved in any of these programs, along with challenging clinical/fieldwork rotations.

Are occupational therapists in demand UK?

Although there are over 41,000 occupational therapists, across the UK there is

still a significant shortage

and the profession is included on the UK's Shortage Occupations List.

Do nurses or occupational therapist make more money?

Occupational Therapy Nursing Median Annual Salary (2019) $84,950 (OTR/L) $73,300 (RN) Median Hourly Salary (2019) $40.84 (OTR/L) $35.24 (RN) By Gender 83.9% Female 86.7% Female Job Outlook 18% growth 12% growth

Is occupational therapy a stressful career?


Being an occupational therapist can be stressful

.

Almost every setting has productivity requirements, with some settings less strict than others. So while you do get to provide meaningful treatments and help people achieve their goals, you do have to deal with the struggle of meeting your productivity on a daily basis.

Who makes more money physical therapist or occupational therapist?

In 2017,

occupational therapists

earned slightly less than physical therapists at a mean $40.69 per hour, or $84,640 per year. Their pay could fall below $26.23 per hour, or $54,560 per year, or reach above $57.91 per hour, or $120,440 per year.

Do physical therapist work alone or with a team?

Physical Therapists

generally work as part of a team

and often consult and practice with a variety of other professionals, such as physicians, nurses, dentists, educators, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, vocational counselors, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists.

How much do occupational therapists make UK?

Salaries for occupational therapists working in the NHS start at Band 5 of the NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) Pay Rates (£24,907 to £30,615). Salaries for specialist occupational therapists range from

£31,365 to £37,890

(Band 6) and advanced/highly specialist occupational therapists can earn £38,890 to £44,503 (Band 7).

How does contract therapy work?

Contract therapy, also known as outsourced therapy, is a service where

a hospital or other facility can work with a dedicated therapy provider on a contractual basis

. The type and scope of services provided can vary widely, based on the needs of the hospital and the specific contract therapy organization.

Can physical therapists give injections?

19, 2021, expressly permits physical

therapists to administer vaccines

if they receive training by a physician, registered professional nurse, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, or pharmacist proficient in reconstitution and drawing of medications in a manner consistent with the CDC's “COVID-19 Vaccination …

Who is the PT of record?

(b)

A physical therapist who performs the initial evaluation of a patient

shall be the physical therapist of record for that patient. The physical therapist of record shall remain as such until a reassignment of that patient to another physical therapist of record has occurred.

Can a physical therapist be a sole proprietor in California?

Like a number of other businesses,

physical therapists can organize as a sole proprietor

, a partnership or a professional corporation. … The partnership itself does not pay income taxes, but each partner has to report their share of business profits or losses on their individual tax return.

What does it mean to be a contract physical therapist?

As a contract therapist,

the expectations of the job generally are confined to patient care

. You may be in more charge of scheduling the patients that are specifically on your schedule, but you won't have to do scheduling for the whole team or clinic.

Is there a high demand for occupational therapists?

Employment outlook:

Employment of occupational therapists

is projected to grow by almost 15 per cent between May 2018

-2023, according to 2018 Department of Jobs and Small Business data.

Do occupational therapists wear scrubs?

Do Occupational Therapists Wear Scrubs?

Yes

. Occupational therapists are required to wear scrubs at certain rehabilitation centers and hospitals. If scrubs are not required wherever the OT is employed, they often wear a polo shirt with either dark colored pants or scrub pants.

How competitive is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy school is

SO competitive

, since many applicants are applying as soon as they can as opposed to when the supposed deadline is. For example, the programs you're looking at have deadlines in December, but they start accepting applications in August.

Is Ota being phased out?

AOTA will keep you informed and let you know how you can weigh in. But OTA services as a recognized part of occupational therapy continues. Therefore

OTA use is expected to continue

.

How can an ot make 6 figures?

  1. Work in a SNF or Home Health. These are some of the highest paid settings for occupational therapists. …
  2. Work in an environment that offers bonuses/incentives. …
  3. Work in a place that offers overtime pay. …
  4. Work weekends. …
  5. Sign up to do travel therapy. …
  6. Move to a rural location. …
  7. Avoid salaried positions. …
  8. Specialize.

What are the benefits of being an occupational therapist?

  • medical insurance.
  • dental insurance.
  • vision insurance.
  • life insurance.
  • disability insurance – long & short term.
  • paid time off – vacation, sick, personal.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching.
  • continuing education stipend.

What are the disadvantages of being an occupational therapist?

  • The Medical Field is Emotionally Stressful. …
  • Occupational Therapy is a Physically Demanding Job. …
  • Institutional Barriers May Prevent Desired Results. …
  • Long Work Hours Are Common.

What is the difference between physiotherapy and occupational therapy?

Physiotherapy concentrates on range of movement, strength and endurance to maintain and promote mobility or function. Occupational therapy, on the other hand,

focuses on the link between malfunction of component parts and the effect that has

on the whole person.

How long does it take to be an occupational therapist?

To become an occupational therapist, you will need to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree and pass the required licensure exams. You can expect to spend

six to seven years in school

: four years for an undergraduate degree and two to three years for a graduate degree (if attending on a full-time basis).

Is an occupational therapist a doctor?

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) is

a professional (or clinical) doctorate

– the highest level of academic preparation that an entry-level occupational therapist can obtain. Preparation at the doctoral entry-level goes well beyond that of the entry-level master's degree.

What major is occupational therapy under?

  • Occupational Therapy or Pre-Occupational Therapy. …
  • Kinesiology and Exercise Science/Physiology. …
  • Psychology. …
  • Biology.

Is occupational therapy a good career in UK?

Being an occupational therapist is

an incredibly rewarding role

, working with clients and their families to make life easier. Supporting an individual's independent living can also ease the pressure felt by their support network. … There are currently over 52,000 occupational therapists in the United Kingdom (UK).

Can I become an occupational therapist without a degree?

An accredited degree in Occupational Therapy is generally considered a prerequisite for this profession. However, entry without a degree

is possible at assistant, technician, or support worker level

, where you could then progress to become a fully qualified Occupational Therapist after further study and experience.

Is occupational therapy ever in clearing?

Entry requirements vary depending on where you'd like to study. If you've passed at least two A levels (ideally three) at moderate to high grades, or have equivalent qualifications at level 3, you may still find vacancies through

clearing

. Find more information about how to become an occupational therapist.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.