Occupations: Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Overview of the profession:
Occupational Therapists (OTs) play a crucial role in healthcare by helping individuals regain independence and improve their quality of life following injury, illness, or disability. They assess patients' physical, emotional, and social needs to develop personalized treatment plans that empower them to perform everyday tasks, such as dressing, cooking, and working. OTs use various therapeutic techniques that are aimed at facilitating individuals to reintegrate into their homes and communities and function to their maximum independence. To become an OT, individuals must complete a master's or doctorate in occupational therapy from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. Then, to be eligible for licensure in Michigan, graduates must pass Michigan's jurisprudence examination and the Occupational Therapist certification examination through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Once licensed, OTs work in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and home health agencies. The holistic approach of OTs that considers individuals' emotional and social factors is crucial for individuals to live with maximum independence and participate in their community.
Policy Highlights
Includes recent proposed legislation.
Current Workforce Data
We've provided the latest data from Lightcast below. Lightcast gathers and integrates economic, labor market, demographic, education, profile, and job posting data from dozens of government and private-sector sources, creating a comprehensive and current dataset that includes both published data and detailed estimates with full United States coverage.
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2025 Hourly Wages
10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$28.90 | $35.77 | $40.46 | $47.69 | $51.01 |
Top Posted Job Titles
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Occupational Therapists
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School Occupational Therapists
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Home Health Occupational Therapists
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Travel Occupational Therapists
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Home Health Physical Therapists
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Outpatient Occupational Therapists
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Home Care Occupational Therapists
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Pediatric Occupational Therapists
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Rehabilitation Technicians
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Rehabilitation Occupational Therapists
Index Ranking
Ranked 12nd (out of 36) "healthiest" profession according to the 2025 Michigan Healthcare Workforce Index.
Learn more here.
2025 Employment: 5,380
Projected 2035 Employment: 5,765 (+7%)
Highlighted Workforce Initiatives
Name: Occupational Therapy Accelerated Pathway
Prosperity Region: 4
Description: The University of Michigan-Flint’s Occupational Therapy Accelerated Pathway: Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Occupational Therapy Doctorate program is a smart and cost-effective choice for students interested in a fulfilling career as an occupational therapist.
The traditional path to an occupational therapy doctorate is seven years. With the Accelerated Pathway, students can complete both a bachelor’s and doctorate in six years and with 31 fewer credits, saving one year of time and tuition.
Name: Combined Degree: Occupational Therapy M.S. and Dr.O.T.
Prosperity Region: 6
Description: The combined master of science and doctor of occupational therapy program at Grand Valley State University offers current qualified OT students the opportunity to earn two degrees, meeting their unique personal, academic, and career goals. Pursuing a combined degree can reduce the cost and total time required to complete both. The combined degree program allows students to complete the master's and doctorate OT programs with nine credits counting towards both degrees. It is an ideal pathway for students seeking advanced practice skills in OT preparing them for advocacy, leadership, and teaching opportunities.
Name: Bay-Arenac ISD CTE
Prosperity Region: 5
Description: Health-related CTE courses at Bay-Arenac ISD include Dental Occupations, Forensic Science, CNA, Nursing Assistant, Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy/Sports Medicine and Health Technology/Medical Science. The Health Technology/Medical Science course is an award-winning program offered in partnership with McLaren Bay Region. Students have the opportunity to select from 40 unique medical mentorships with local medical professionals, learn from guest speakers, tour medical facilities and take field trips. Students in their second year who have completed a CNA program can take part in a nursing internship program that has employment opportunities after graduation
Career Pathway
What is needed to become a licensed Occupational Therapist in Michigan?
To become a licensed Occupational Therapist, individuals must first complete a master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy from an program accredited by either the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). Then to be eligible for licensure, applicants need to pass the Michigan jurisprudence examination and the
Occupational Therapist certification examination through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. For current and comprehensive licensure requirements, please visit: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/health/hp-lic-health-prof/ot
Latest Occupational Therapist News
