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