There are currently an estimated 130,400 occupational therapists in the United States. The occupational therapist job market is expected to grow by 23.8% between 2016 and 2026.
How employable are occupational therapists?
CareerExplorer rates occupational therapists with a B+ employability rating, meaning this career should provide good employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 33,800 occupational therapists. That number is based on 31,000 additional occupational therapists, and the retirement of 2,800 existing occupational therapists.
What’s the supply of occupational therapists?
The occupational therapist industry is concentrated in California, Texas, New York
Occupational Therapist job market by state
| State Name | Employed Occupational Therapists |
|---|---|
| California | 10,620 |
| Texas | 10,170 |
| New York | 9,080 |
| Pennsylvania | 7,310 |
| Florida | 6,600 |
| New Jersey | 5,240 |
| Illinois | 5,210 |
| Massachusetts | 5,130 |
| Michigan | 4,780 |
| Ohio | 4,670 |
| North Carolina | 3,330 |
| Maryland | 3,300 |
| Wisconsin | 3,250 |
| Virginia | 3,000 |
| Indiana | 2,890 |
| Georgia | 2,840 |
| Minnesota | 2,820 |
| Washington | 2,800 |
| Colorado | 2,770 |
| Missouri | 2,380 |
| Tennessee | 2,100 |
| Connecticut | 1,990 |
| Arizona | 1,800 |
| Louisiana | 1,790 |
| Kentucky | 1,340 |
| Kansas | 1,330 |
| South Carolina | 1,280 |
| Oregon | 1,260 |
| Alabama | 1,200 |
| Arkansas | 1,090 |
| New Hampshire | 1,060 |
| Iowa | 1,010 |
| Maine | 1,000 |
| Mississippi | 960 |
| Oklahoma | 920 |
| Nebraska | 890 |
| Utah | 880 |
| Nevada | 730 |
| New Mexico | 690 |
| West Virginia | 610 |
| Delaware | 460 |
| North Dakota | 430 |
| Idaho | 430 |
| South Dakota | 410 |
| Rhode Island | 380 |
| District of Columbia | 340 |
| Montana | 340 |
| Wyoming | 290 |
| Hawaii | 290 |
| Vermont | 290 |
| Alaska | 270 |
| Puerto Rico | 230 |