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The differences between occupational therapists and nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an occupational therapist, becoming a nurse takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an occupational therapist has an average salary of $75,707, which is higher than the $57,564 average annual salary of a nurse.
The top three skills for an occupational therapist include patients, rehabilitation and home health. The most important skills for a nurse are patients, home health, and CPR.
| Occupational Therapist | Nurse | |
| Yearly salary | $75,707 | $57,564 |
| Hourly rate | $36.40 | $27.68 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 78,315 | 696,124 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
An occupational therapist specializes in treating patients who are recovering from illnesses or disabilities to help them adapt and overcome the physical and mental difficulties they face in their daily lives. The responsibilities of an occupational therapist revolve around examining a patient's medical history and conducting different kinds of assessments to determine what type of treatment a patient should receive. Furthermore, an occupational therapist must build rapport with a patient to make them feel at ease and coordinate with their guardian or family to discuss the recommended ways to help the patient adjust and recuperate.
Nurses are medical professionals assigned to a specific department in the hospital and provide their trusted department services. Nurses are in charge of taking patients' medical histories, getting vital signs, preparing patients for checkups or procedures, explaining upcoming practices, answering any questions, and communicating any concerns to the assigned doctor. Nurses should ensure that patients follow the medical advice given to them. They also assist patients in completing administrative requirements, such as filling out forms, validating details, and endorsing payments.
Occupational therapists and nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Occupational Therapist | Nurse | |
| Average salary | $75,707 | $57,564 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $97,000 | Between $38,000 And $86,000 |
| Highest paying City | Salinas, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Waters | Conviva |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Government |
There are a few differences between an occupational therapist and a nurse in terms of educational background:
| Occupational Therapist | Nurse | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Most common major | Occupational Therapy | Nursing |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between occupational therapists' and nurses' demographics:
| Occupational Therapist | Nurse | |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2% | Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 9.6% White, 75.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 14% | 9% |