Is Occupational Therapy In High Demand?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The

demand for occupational therapists is rising

, with job growth expected to increase 27% from 2014 through 2024, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. … One reason demand is up in hospitals is that these facilities recognize that has a role in lowering readmission rates, she said.

Is occupational therapy a good career?

Summary:

OT is a good career

because it offers a flexible schedule, comfortable salary and the ability to choose where you work. … Occupational therapy is a good career choice for anyone who wants to get into the healthcare field and work directly with patients to make their lives easier.

Is occupational therapy a happy career?

As it turns out,

occupational therapists rate their career happiness 2.9 out of 5 stars

which puts them in the bottom 27% of careers.

Is it hard to get a job in occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is a very challenging, yet very rewarding field. Like any other profession, however, it may not be the right choice for you. … First,

getting into an OT program is difficult

. Competition is fierce, and most who apply for such programs do not get into them the first time they apply.

Is there a shortage of occupational therapists?

On the basis of current trends, demand for OT services will outpace the supply of occupational therapists within the United States.

Shortages are expected to increase for all 50 states through 2030

. The number of states with a grade D or below will increase from 3 in 2010, to 18 in 2020, to 37 in 2030, respectively.

Is being an OT stressful?


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 PT or OT?

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.

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.

Is occupational therapy harder than nursing?


OT and PT school are definitely not easier than nursing

. Different subject matter in some regards, but not an easy route, especially considering that OT/PT school are graduate level degrees and nursing is only a Bachelors. Graduate programs, as mentioned, are more strict regarding grades.

How difficult is OT school?

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.

Is occupational therapy worth it 2020?


Yes

, occupational therapy is one of the fastest-growing careers, you get to make a difference in other peoples' lives, and the pay is good. Also, OT's can work in a wide variety of settings, meaning there are always work opportunities.

Is occupational therapy worth the debt?

The financial answer is

yes

but there is a significant price to pay. For most occupational therapists, they'll have to deal with student loans for 10 to 20 years. They won't necessarily be able to celebrate and enjoy that higher income until their loans are dealt with.

Does occupational therapy pay well?

Occupational Therapists made a

median salary of $84,950

in 2019. The best-paid 25 percent made $101,590 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $69,710.

How competitive is OT school?


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.

What is the easiest OT school to get into?

  • Western New Mexico, New Mexico. …
  • Vincennes University, Indiana. …
  • Community College of Baltimore County, Maryland. …
  • Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Mississippi. …
  • East Mississippi Community College, Mississippi.

Is OT oversaturated?

But to answer you question,

OT is not going anywhere

. However you might have to in order find work as a new grad as it is becoming more and more oversaturated in many large cities. Some fields within OT (hand therapy, occupational health, home health) are also hard to break into or have decreased demand.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.