There are three career options in Occupational Therapy, namely Occupational Therapist (OT), Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA), and Occupational Therapist Guide (OT Guide). Aside from the differences in functions these three have, they also have differences in minimum academic requirements. Aside from that, they also differ, salary wise. As to the question how to increase your wages in this field, the answer is simple. Take more degree and specializations in Occupational Therapy. Among the three career options, OT’s have premium salary wages. On the average, an OT receives an annual median salary of not less than $70,000. This value can go much higher if you work in states that pay more for OT services like in California where the annual salary of an OT starts at $80,830. There are different industries that employ OT’s. These include Home Health Care Services, Employment Services, Schools, Nursing Care Facilities, and Physicians’ Offices. Home Health Care Services pay the highest compensation with a median annual salary of $79,110.

To be an OT, you have to earn at least a Master’s Degree and pass the state licensure exam. You can take a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from reputable universities, as well as from Occupational Therapy Schools. Be mindful though that if you are seriously considering taking a master’s degree, it will help if you get science-related undergraduate courses like Biology, Psychology, Sociology, Anatomy and Anthropology. Some colleges require a minimum grade average for accepting enrollees for their Master’s Degree Programs. If you want to make bigger salaries, study until you earn a doctoral degree. People who have doctoral degrees in Occupational Therapy receive premium salaries of not less than $90,000. If you want to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy but do not want to pursue a college degree, you can be an OTA. To make this happen, attend programs accredited by the American Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy. These programs are offered in technical schools and colleges. Once you have completed the program, you can apply for the licensure test, administered by the National Council Board for Occupational Therapy.

If you have work related experiences, your chances of qualifying for the licensing examination are increased. OTA’s have equivalent to half of what OT receive. OTA’s estimated median annual salary is at $42,060. If you do not want to pursue higher learning in Occupational Therapy, another option you can take is to be an OT Guide. OT Guides prepare the equipment to be used by OT’s and OTA’s during treatment procedures. OT Guides receive on-the-job trainings right after high school. Once training is completed, you can apply for a licensure test given by the NBCOT to be able to practice legally.

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