High Workforce Demand

Job opportunities are available throughout the country, particularly in rural areas and areas that do not have many occupational therapy education programs. Minnesota is an identified workforce shortage area for occupational therapy.

• The demand for occupational therapy is expected to increase by 27% between 2014 – 2024 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
• Median salaries were $70,000 in 2014 depending on geographic location and specialty area of practice. (AOTA Occupational Therapy Compensation and Workforce Study, 2015).
• Graduates of the University of Minnesota Program in Occupational Therapy are generally employed in occupational therapy within 5 weeks of graduation.
• OT recognized as 23rd “best career” by U.S. News and World Report (2016).
• AllHealthcare, a large online job board, lists occupational therapy as one of 10 best health care jobs with a masters degree (ranked 5th).

Graduates of Occupational Therapy are working in a variety of areas including:

• Hospitals
• Schools
• Long-Term Care / Skilled Nursing Facilities
• Outpatient
• Home Health
• Academic
• Early Intervention
• Community Health Settings
• Mental Health
• Administration

There’s a high demand for the knowledge and expertise which the University of Minnesota’s OT graduates possess, within an aging population and health care systems that reward interventions yielding positive outcomes and high patient satisfaction, while lowering costs.

This workplace demand lends itself to career opportunities in a variety of medical and community settings. These include rehabilitation, hospitals, home care agencies, schools, adult day programs, mental health settings and community organizations.