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Entry Level Occupational Therapist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

United States Army

Reserve Occupational Therapist

Macon, GA

$38.50 - $50.75/hr

... entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate program focused on academic, scientific research and clinical excellence ★ Travel opportunities within the United States and abroad ★ Up to 30 days of ...

United States Army

Reserve Occupational Therapist

Salem, OR

$40.50 - $53.25/hr

... entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate program focused on academic, scientific research and clinical excellence ★ Travel opportunities within the United States and abroad ★ Up to 30 days of ...

United States Army

Reserve Occupational Therapist

Chicago, IL

$41.50 - $54.50/hr

... entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate program focused on academic, scientific research and clinical excellence ★ Travel opportunities within the United States and abroad ★ Up to 30 days of ...

United States Army

Reserve Occupational Therapist

Peoria, AZ

$39.50 - $52/hr

... entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate program focused on academic, scientific research and clinical excellence ★ Travel opportunities within the United States and abroad ★ Up to 30 days of ...

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Entry Level Occupational Therapist information

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$23

$45

$67

How much do entry level occupational therapist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level occupational therapist in the United States is $45.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38.70 and $50.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Why are OTs leaving the profession?

Entry level occupational therapists may leave the profession due to high workload, burnout, limited career advancement, or inadequate compensation. Job stress, administrative burdens, and changing healthcare policies can also contribute to turnover among new practitioners.

What types of support and mentorship can entry level occupational therapists expect in their first year on the job?

As an entry level occupational therapist, you can typically expect to receive structured onboarding, regular supervision, and mentorship from experienced therapists during your first year. Many organizations pair new hires with senior staff for shadowing and case discussions, and provide opportunities to participate in team meetings and continuing education. This support helps new therapists build confidence, develop clinical reasoning skills, and acclimate to the documentation and workflow expectations in various settings such as hospitals, schools, or outpatient clinics.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Occupational Therapist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Occupational Therapist, you need a bachelor's or master's degree in occupational therapy, completion of fieldwork requirements, and licensure or certification (typically NBCOT). Familiarity with assessment tools, documentation software, and therapy modalities is essential for effective patient care. Strong interpersonal skills, patience, and problem-solving abilities help you build rapport with clients and tailor interventions to individual needs. These skills and qualifications are crucial for delivering effective, client-centered therapy and supporting patient progress in diverse healthcare environments.

What is an entry level occupational therapist?

An entry level occupational therapist is a professional who provides therapy services to help individuals develop or recover daily living and work skills. They typically hold a master's degree in occupational therapy, pass a national certification exam, and may work under supervision as they gain experience in clinical settings such as hospitals, schools, or rehabilitation centers.

Who gets paid more, OT or PT?

Occupational therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs) are both healthcare professionals with similar salary ranges, but PTs often earn slightly higher average salaries due to the demand for physical rehabilitation services. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and work setting, with PTs typically earning a few thousand dollars more annually than OTs. Both roles require advanced degrees and licensure, and salary differences are generally modest within the healthcare field.

Can OT help with hypermobility?

Entry level occupational therapists can assist individuals with hypermobility by developing personalized strategies to improve joint stability, reduce pain, and prevent injury. They often use exercises, activity modifications, and education to help clients manage symptoms and improve function.

What does an entry level occupational therapist do?

An entry level occupational therapist helps individuals of all ages develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills after injury, illness, or disability. They assess patients’ needs, develop treatment plans, and guide them through therapeutic activities to improve their independence and quality of life. Entry level therapists work under the supervision of experienced occupational therapists, often collaborating with other healthcare professionals to support patient goals. Their responsibilities include documentation, patient education, and sometimes assisting with adaptive equipment selection.

What is the difference between Entry Level Occupational Therapist vs Occupational Therapist?

AspectEntry Level Occupational TherapistOccupational Therapist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Occupational Therapy, licensure requiredSame as entry level, with additional certifications or specialization optional
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, schools, outpatient settingsSimilar settings, often with more experience handling complex cases
Job ResponsibilitiesAssist patients with daily activities, follow treatment plans, document progressDesign treatment plans, supervise assistants, handle complex cases

Entry Level Occupational Therapists perform foundational patient care under supervision, focusing on developing skills. Occupational Therapists with more experience handle complex cases, create treatment strategies, and may supervise staff. Both roles require similar credentials and work environments, but experience levels influence responsibilities and autonomy.

What Does an Entry-Level Occupational Therapist Do?

As an entry-level occupational therapist, you assist injured, ill, or permanently disabled patients in their development and maintenance of physical abilities by using daily activities as therapy. You observe the patient doing routine tasks, develop a treatment plan, demonstrate exercises, and monitor progress. Your responsibilities also include educating the patient’s family about how to provide care and assistance, and you provide training and instruction in the use of recommended equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and adaptive eating aids. Your duties also involve evaluating client homes and workplaces and identifying ways to improve their quality of living through adaptive measures.

More about Entry Level Occupational Therapist jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Occupational Therapist jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Occupational Therapist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Occupational Therapist jobs? The most popular types of Occupational Therapist jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Occupational Therapist jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Occupational Therapist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Occupational Therapist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Occupational Therapist jobs are:
Entry Level Occupational Therapist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Occupational Therapist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,375 per year, or $45.4 per hour.
Reserve Occupational Therapist

Reserve Occupational Therapist

United States Army

Macon, GA

$38.50 - $50.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

United States Army rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 486 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

41st of 46 rated military and defense

Job description

U.S. Army Occupational Therapists have the strength to heal our Nation’s defenders

If you are a professional in the field of occupational therapy and want to combine your specialized skills with a desire to serve your country, a career as an Army Occupational Therapist might be the one for you.

Outstanding Opportunities

As an Occupational Therapist for the U.S. Army, you’ll learn to use the latest technology to help Soldiers and their families improve their physical health. As part of our multidisciplinary health care organization, you’ll gain the experience needed to take your career to the next level. U.S. Army Occupational Therapists may provide individualized treatment plans for Soldiers who are experiencing operational combat stress and injuries, as well as administering assessments of battlefield units to determine health statuses. To prepare you for your role as an Army Occupational Therapist, the U.S. Army provides training, continued education programs, seminars and conferences to expose you to as many opportunities as possible during your time in the Army. If you decide to join the Army Reserve, you will be able to serve your country as needed while still supporting your community.

Whether you choose Active duty or Army Reserve, a career as an Army Occupational Therapist allows you to serve your nation in critical ways.

Outstanding Benefits

When you join the Army Medical Specialist Corps, you’ll be making a difference in the lives of our Soldiers and the country at large while gaining access to invaluable opportunities, such as supporting humanitarian missions, leadership training and a competitive benefits package.

Benefits may include:

★ Repayment of qualified education loans to lending institution, paid annually over a maximum of three years while serving

★ You may be eligible for an accession bonus, paid over a four-year period while serving

★ Full-tuition scholarship opportunity for a Post-Professional Doctor of Science in Occupational Therapy program focused on maximizing military readiness, health living, and performance optimization

★ For pre-occupational therapy students there is a full-tuition scholarship opportunity for an entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate program focused on academic, scientific research and clinical excellence

★ Travel opportunities within the United States and abroad

★ Up to 30 days of paid vacation earned annually

★ Enrollment into the Uniformed Services Blended Retirement System

★ No- to low-cost medical and dental care for you and your family

★ Commissary and post exchange shopping privileges

★ Specialized training to become a leader in medicine

Eligibility Requirements

★ Must have a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited Occupational Therapist program

★ Must have an active, unrestricted National Board for the Certification of Occupational Therapists (NBCOT) and an active, unrestricted state license

★ Be between the ages of 18 and 42 years old (waivers are on a case-by-case basis)

★ Must be a U.S. citizen to serve Active Duty

★ Must have a permanent U.S. residency for Army Reserve

Have questions or want more information?

To find out more information about becoming an Occupational Therapist in the U.S. Army, visit www.goarmy.com/amedd. You may also reach out to your local Army Healthcare Recruiter to learn how you can get started on your journey as an Army Occupational Therapist.

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About US Army

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Industry

National security, health care and social assistance, national security and international affairs and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Arlington, VA, US

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