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The Daily Insight

Can occupational therapists work internationally?

Author

Christopher Harper

Updated on April 05, 2026

Working as an occupational therapist internationally can have a positive influence in many circumstances. These could include refugee resettlement and rehabilitation, disaster management, human trafficking, political activity and advocacy, vocational training, teaching opportunities, and research (WFOT).

How much do occupational therapists make BLS?

The median annual wage for occupational therapists was $86,280 in May 2020. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $57,330, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $122,670.

Are hand therapists in demand?

Based on the numbers, OTs are in demand, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, stating job growth is expected to increase 27% from 2014 through 2024. Occupational therapists are versatile and can work in so many different settings, and the jobs are out there.

How many OTs are in the US?

National estimates for Occupational Therapists:

Employment (1)Employment RSE (3)Mean annual wage (2)
126,6101.2 %$ 87,480

How much do otas make?

Traveling OTA Salary

Annual SalaryMonthly Pay
Top Earners$101,500$8,458
75th Percentile$82,000$6,833
Average$67,016$5,584
25th Percentile$43,000$3,583

How can I work as an occupational therapist in USA?

To work as an occupational therapist in the US, you will need a Health Care Worker Certificate….The NBCOT offers a Verification Certificate that:

  1. Reviews an applicant’s educational credentials;
  2. Verifies an applicant’s license in their country of education, and;
  3. Verifies an applicant’s English proficiency.

Is it hard to find a job as a Cota?

This field is growing tremendously, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a job. That said, employers want to see that you’re “open to learning from and interacting with a team and the patient,” Luther-Krug says. Because OTAs are seeing patients at some of the hardest times in their lives, compassion is a must.

What state pays ot the most?

Nevada
Best-Paying States for Occupational Therapists The states and districts that pay Occupational Therapists the highest mean salary are Nevada ($105,450), California ($98,450), New Jersey ($96,820), Arizona ($95,180), and District of Columbia ($94,430).

How many Hispanics are occupational therapists?

Staff Occupational Therapist Statistics By Race

Staff Occupational Therapist RacePercentages
White78.9%
Asian8.8%
Hispanic or Latino5.8%
Black or African American4.8%

What percentage of occupational therapists are black?

According to AOTA’s 2015 Salary & Workforce Survey, the percentage of occupational therapy practitioners identifying themselves as African American or black is 3.1%, and those identifying as Hispanic or Latino is 3.2%.