Occupational Therapist Demographics and Statistics In The US
Research Summary. Using a database of 30 million profiles, Zippia estimates demographics and statistics for occupational therapists in the United States. Our estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
- There are over 134,369 occupational therapists currently employed in the United States.
- 83.2% of all occupational therapists are women, while 16.8% are men.
- The average age of an employed occupational therapist is 39 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of occupational therapists is White (75.3%), followed by Asian (9.6%), Hispanic or Latino (6.2%) and Black or African American (4.8%).
- Occupational therapists are most in-demand in New York, NY.
- The professional industry is the highest-paying for occupational therapists.
- Salinas, CA pays an annual average wage of $108,453, the highest in the US.
- In 2021, women earned 97% of what men earned.
- 14% of all occupational therapists are LGBT.
- California is the best state for occupational therapists to live.
- Occupational therapists are 83% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to education companies.
Occupational Therapist Statistics By Gender
83.2% of occupational therapists are women and 16.8% of occupational therapists are men.
- Female, 83.2%
- Male, 16.8%
Occupational Therapists By Gender
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Female | 83.2% |
| Male | 16.8% |
Gender Pay Gap For Occupational Therapist
Women Earn 97ยข For Every $1 Earned By Men
Occupational Therapist Gender Over Time
This data shows how men and women predominate in the occupational therapist position over time.
Occupational Therapist Gender By Year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 14.73% | 85.27% |
| 2011 | 11.13% | 88.87% |
| 2012 | 16.61% | 83.39% |
| 2013 | 11.81% | 88.19% |
| 2014 | 14.50% | 85.50% |
| 2015 | 15.83% | 84.17% |
| 2016 | 13.87% | 86.13% |
| 2017 | 12.02% | 87.98% |
| 2018 | 21.34% | 78.66% |
| 2019 | 14.56% | 85.44% |
| 2020 | 13.38% | 86.62% |
| 2021 | 16.78% | 83.22% |
Occupational Therapist Male to Female Ratio
We compared this job title with other job titles to see how gender percentages varied. As you can see, flight surgeon and optometrist, owner have the biggest difference in gender.
| Job Title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Staff Nurse Midwife | 2% | 98% |
| Perinatal Nurse | 3% | 97% |
| Therapeutic Dietitian | 3% | 97% |
| Occupational Therapist | 17% | 83% |
| Radiology Resident | 75% | 25% |
| Optometrist, Owner | 76% | 24% |
| Flight Surgeon | 82% | 18% |
Occupational Therapist Statistics By Race
The most common ethnicity among occupational therapists is White, which makes up 75.3% of all occupational therapists. Comparatively, there are 9.6% of the Asian ethnicity and 6.2% of the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.
- White, 75.3%
- Asian, 9.6%
- Hispanic or Latino, 6.2%
- Black or African American, 4.8%
- Unknown, 3.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
Occupational Therapist Race
| Occupational Therapist Race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 75.3% |
| Asian | 9.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 6.2% |
| Black or African American | 4.8% |
| Unknown | 3.7% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.4% |
Occupational Therapist Race And Ethnicity Over Time
Using the Census Bureau data, we found out how the percentage of each ethnic category trended between 2010-2019 among occupational therapists.
- White
- Asian
- Hispanic or Latino
- Black or African American
Occupational Therapist Race By Year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 79.18% | 4.98% | 7.58% | 6.37% |
| 2011 | 81.73% | 4.06% | 8.30% | 4.32% |
| 2012 | 79.16% | 5.49% | 8.22% | 5.86% |
| 2013 | 81.35% | 4.46% | 7.36% | 5.75% |
| 2014 | 79.82% | 4.59% | 8.25% | 5.74% |
| 2015 | 77.60% | 5.06% | 10.39% | 5.70% |
| 2016 | 80.32% | 4.07% | 8.25% | 5.72% |
| 2017 | 77.01% | 4.78% | 9.43% | 6.48% |
| 2018 | 78.25% | 5.02% | 8.93% | 6.06% |
| 2019 | 78.73% | 4.95% | 8.65% | 6.11% |
| 2020 | 77.10% | 4.11% | 8.55% | 6.24% |
| 2021 | 75.34% | 4.83% | 9.59% | 6.24% |
Occupational Therapist Wage Gap By Race
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $70,782 |
| White | $70,105 |
| Black or African American | $71,534 |
| Asian | $75,762 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $73,130 |
Occupational Therapist JOBS
Average Age of an Occupational Therapist
We determined the average age of occupational therapists based on ethnicity and gender.
Occupational Therapist Age By Race
| Race | Male Age | Female Age |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown | 38 | |
| White | 42 | 38 |
| Black or African American | 39 | |
| Asian | 38 | 37.5 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 36.5 |
Occupational Therapist Age Breakdown
This chart breaks down the ages of occupational therapist employees. Interestingly enough, the average age of occupational therapists is 40+ years old, which represents 46% of the population.
Occupational Therapist Age
| Occupational Therapist Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 46% |
| 30-40 years | 37% |
| 20-30 years | 17% |
Types of Occupational Therapist Degree Levels
The most common degree for occupational therapists is bachelor's degree 55% of occupational therapists earn that degree. A close second is master's degree with 37% and rounding it off is associate degree with 5%.
- Bachelors, 55%
- Masters, 37%
- Associate, 5%
- Doctorate, 1%
- Other Degrees, 2%
Occupational Therapists By Education
| Occupational Therapist Degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Bachelors | 55% |
| Masters | 37% |
| Associate | 5% |
| Doctorate | 1% |
| Other Degrees | 2% |
Occupational Therapist Jobs You Might Like
Occupational Therapist Wage Gap By Education
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $80,503 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $80,905 |
| Doctorate Degree | $79,115 |
Occupational Therapist Employment Statistics
This section highlights information about where occupational therapists work. We found most occupational therapists work for a private company. In addition, the industry that employs the most occupational therapists is the health care industry.
Company Size
We created this chart to show you the average size of companies that typically hire occupational therapists.
Occupational Therapist Jobs By Employer Size
| Company Size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 5% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 12% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 23% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 11% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 30% |
| > 10,000 employees | 18% |
The Types Of Companies Occupational Therapist Work In
Employees with the occupational therapist job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most occupational therapists prefer to work at private companies over education companies.
Occupational Therapist Jobs By Sector
| Company Type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 8% |
| Public | 6% |
| Private | 83% |
| Government | 3% |
Top Industries Hiring Occupational Therapists
Just based on the number of employees within each industry, we were able to determine the most common industries that employ occupational therapists. Those industries include health care, professional and education.
Occupational Therapist Industry Statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Health Care | 67% |
| Professional | 10% |
| Education | 6% |
| Non Profits | 3% |
| Government | 2% |
| Technology | 2% |
| Pharmaceutical | 1% |
| Retail | 1% |
| Transportation | 1% |
| Finance | 1% |
| Media | 1% |
| Start-up | 1% |
| Manufacturing | 1% |
| Fortune 500 | 1% |
| Hospitality | 1% |
| Insurance | 1% |
Occupational Therapist Turnover And Employment Statistics
Occupational Therapist Unemployment Rate Over Time
The Bureau of Labor Statistics came in clutch when it came down to figuring out how the unemployment rate has changed over time. Between 2008 and 2018, this is how the number of occupational therapists changed.
- Unemployment rate
Occupational Therapist Unemployment Rate By Year
| Year | Occupational Therapist Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 0.76% |
| 2011 | 0.66% |
| 2012 | 0.88% |
| 2013 | 0.99% |
| 2014 | 1.93% |
| 2015 | 0.09% |
| 2016 | 1.02% |
| 2017 | 1.26% |
| 2018 | 0.48% |
| 2019 | 0.89% |
| 2020 | 2.70% |
| 2021 | 1.76% |
The Average Number of Years That Occupational Therapist Stay in a Job
By looking over 22,778 occupational therapists resumes, we figured out that the average occupational therapist enjoys staying at their job for 1-2 years for a percentage of 29%.
Occupational Therapist Tenure
| Number or Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 25% |
| 1-2 years | 29% |
| 3-4 years | 12% |
| 5-7 years | 17% |
| 8-10 years | 7% |
| 11+ years | 9% |
Comparing The LGBT Ratio of Occupational Therapists with Other Job Titles
After finding the gender ratio, we wondered if the percentages of LGBT persons were different as well. Using the data below, you can see how other job titles compare to occupational therapists.
| Job Title | LGBT | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|
| General Pediatrician | 9.88% | 42,460 |
| Pediatric Physician Assistant | 11.62% | 52,560 |
| Reiki Practitioner | 13.00% | 26,714 |
| Public Health Physician | 13.05% | 93,090 |
| Occupational Therapist | 14.38% | - |
| Optometrist/Practice Owner | 17.57% | 59,755 |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | 31.64% | 189,889 |
Occupational Therapist LGBT Demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|
| General Pediatrician | 9.88% | 42,460 |
| Pediatric Physician Assistant | 11.62% | 52,560 |
| Reiki Practitioner | 13.00% | 26,714 |
| Public Health Physician | 13.05% | 93,090 |
| Optometrist/Practice Owner | 17.57% | 59,755 |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | 31.64% | 189,889 |
Foreign Languages Spoken By Occupational Therapists
The most common foreign language among occupational therapists is Spanish at 56.0%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 5.6% and Russian is the third-most popular at 5.3%.
- Spanish, 56.0%
- French, 5.6%
- Russian, 5.3%
- Korean, 4.3%
- Chinese, 3.7%
- Other, 25.1%
Occupational Therapist Languages Spoken
| Foreign Language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 56.0% |
| French | 5.6% |
| Russian | 5.3% |
| Korean | 4.3% |
| Chinese | 3.7% |
| Other | 25.1% |
Occupational Therapist Jobs
Recently Added Occupational Therapist Jobs
Occupational Therapist Heatmaps
The amount you can make as an occupational therapist can depend on where you live. For example, the highest salary of occupational therapists is $81,668. Use our chart to find out where that salary is located.
Where Do Occupational Therapists Earn The Most?
Occupational therapists earn the most in California, where the average occupational therapist salary is $105,738. The map here shows where occupational therapists earn the highest salaries in the U.S. The darker areas across the 50 states highlight the highest salaries.
Which State Has The Most Occupational Therapists?
By looking through more than 22,778 resumes, we found that the most popular places for occupational therapists are New York, NY and Chicago, IL.
Number Of Occupational Therapist Jobs By State
Where Are Occupational Therapists In High Demand?
Occupational therapists are in high demand in New York, NY. There are currently 119 job openings for occupational therapists here. We looked over job openings to determine where in the country occupational therapists are in the most demand.
