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The differences between occupational therapists and recreation therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an occupational therapist and a recreation therapist. Additionally, an occupational therapist has an average salary of $75,707, which is higher than the $55,992 average annual salary of a recreation therapist.
The top three skills for an occupational therapist include patients, rehabilitation and home health. The most important skills for a recreation therapist are patients, CTRS, and mental health.
| Occupational Therapist | Recreation Therapist | |
| Yearly salary | $75,707 | $55,992 |
| Hourly rate | $36.40 | $26.92 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 78,315 | 54,263 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
A recreation therapist is responsible for supporting the patients' physical and mental wellness by organizing therapeutic programs and activities, depending on the patients' condition and existing treatment plans. Recreation therapists work with other medical health professionals for advice and medication needs. They also track the patients' progress, maintain a medical chart, and report any updates to the physicians and patients' family members. A recreation therapist manages the resources and materials for the activities and ensures the safety and security of the participants.
Occupational therapists and recreation therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Occupational Therapist | Recreation Therapist | |
| Average salary | $75,707 | $55,992 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $97,000 | Between $36,000 And $85,000 |
| Highest paying City | Salinas, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Waters | Cottage Health |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Education |
There are a few differences between an occupational therapist and a recreation therapist in terms of educational background:
| Occupational Therapist | Recreation Therapist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Occupational Therapy | Rehabilitation Science |
| Most common college | Duke University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between occupational therapists' and recreation therapists' demographics:
| Occupational Therapist | Recreation Therapist | |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2% | Male, 27.5% Female, 72.5% |
| 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, 6.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 14% | 9% |