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Entry Level Occupational Therapy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Eligible to take, or has successfully completed, the entry-level certification examination for occupational therapy assistants, developed and administered by the National Board for Certification in ...

Eligible to take, or has successfully completed, the entry-level certification examination for occupational therapy assistants, developed and administered by the National Board for Certification in ...

Eligible to take, or has successfully completed, the entry-level certification examination for occupational therapy assistants, developed and administered by the National Board for Certification in ...

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Stroud, OK · On-site

$33.75 - $37.50/hr

Eligible to take, or has successfully completed, the entry-level certification examination for occupational therapy assistants, developed and administered by the National Board for Certification in ...

Eligible to take, or has successfully completed, the entry-level certification examination for occupational therapy assistants, developed and administered by the National Board for Certification in ...

Eligible to take, or has successfully completed, the entry-level certification examination for occupational therapy assistants, developed and administered by the National Board for Certification in ...

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Omaha, NE · On-site

$33.75 - $41.25/hr

Eligible to take, or has successfully completed, the entry-level certification examination for occupational therapy assistants, developed and administered by the National Board for Certification in ...

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Entry Level Occupational Therapy information

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$23

$45

$67

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

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level occupational therapy 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.

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, state licensure, and foundational knowledge in anatomy, therapeutic techniques, and patient assessment. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), adaptive equipment, and standardized assessment tools is typical in the role. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and problem-solving abilities help you connect with clients and tailor interventions effectively. These skills and qualities are vital for delivering personalized care that improves patients’ independence and quality of life.

How do entry-level occupational therapists typically collaborate with other healthcare professionals in a clinical setting?

Entry-level occupational therapists frequently work as part of multidisciplinary teams that may include physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, nurses, and physicians. Collaboration is essential for creating comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each patient's needs. You’ll participate in team meetings, share progress updates, and coordinate interventions to ensure consistent care. This teamwork not only helps improve patient outcomes but also provides valuable learning opportunities for new therapists.

What are entry level occupational therapists?

Entry level occupational therapists are professionals who have recently completed their education and obtained the necessary licensure to practice occupational therapy. They typically work under supervision or mentorship as they gain experience, helping patients develop, recover, or improve the skills needed for daily living and working. Entry level occupational therapists may work in various settings, such as hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, or nursing homes. Their primary goal is to assist clients in achieving independence and improving their quality of life.

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

AspectEntry Level Occupational TherapyOccupational Therapist
CredentialsMaster's degree in Occupational Therapy, passing the NBCOT examMaster's or Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, licensed and certified
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, schools, outpatient centersSame as entry level, often with more responsibility and specialization
Job ResponsibilitiesAssist patients with daily activities, implement treatment plansDevelop treatment plans, supervise assistants, evaluate progress

Entry Level Occupational Therapy roles focus on assisting patients under supervision, while Occupational Therapists have advanced responsibilities, including developing treatment plans and supervising staff. Both roles require similar credentials and work in comparable environments, but the level of responsibility distinguishes them.

More about Entry Level Occupational Therapy jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Occupational Therapy jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Occupational Therapy job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Occupational Therapy jobs? The most popular types of Occupational Therapy jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Occupational Therapy jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Occupational Therapy jobs include:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Occupational Therapy job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $94,375 per year, or $45.4 per hour.
Assistant/Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Jefferson College of Rehabilit...

Assistant/Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Jefferson College of Rehabilit...

Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Inc.

Philadelphia, PA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Job Details

Are you seeking the opportunity to prepare forward-thinking occupational
therapists and conduct collaborative research projects with entry-level
occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) students?
Is making a difference in the lives of individual and community clients an
important career goal?
Would you like to contribute to leading-edge occupational therapy
programming?
Consider joining our dynamic Department of Occupational Therapy ranked in the top 10 in the nation by US News & World Report.
This is a full-time, 12-month teaching position in the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program offered at the rank of assistant or associate professor (depending on experience) with a start date of July 1, 2026. The position is located on Jefferson's Center City Philadelphia Campus.
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will function as an integral member of the Jefferson OTD Program faculty team within the large Department of Occupational Therapy.
Specific responsibilities include:
Teaching content in an innovative OTD entry-level curriculum
Maintaining a faculty-centric scholarship agenda
Engaging in internal and external service
Participating in program development activities
Advising Doctoral occupational therapy students
Serving as a faculty mentor to occupational therapy students for their Doctoral
Capstone

Job Description

Qualifications:

Applicant must be an occupational therapist with

  • a terminal doctorate degree (e.g. OTD, PhD, EdD or ScD).
  • experience in teaching, scholarship and service.

Applicant should demonstrate an interest in working in a highly collaborative and expansive academic environment, which emphasizes excellence, and innovation in occupational therapy education.

Interested candidates should submit an on-line application/CV at http://hr.jefferson.edu/human-resources.html in the search box enter: REQ-0018688

Address additional questions to: Alison Bell, OTD, OTR/L, Chair, Search Committee at alison.bell@jefferson.edu

For more information on Jefferson's OTD program, please go to https://www.jefferson.edu/academics/colleges-schools-institutes/rehabilitation-sciences/departments/occupational-therapy/degrees-programs/doctorate.html

Work Shift

Workday Day (United States of America)

Worker Sub Type

Regular

Employee Entity

Thomas Jefferson University

Primary Location Address

901 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health, nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals campuses and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years.

Jefferson is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, handicap or disability or any other protected group or status.

Benefits

Jefferson offers a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time colleagues, including medical (including prescription), supplemental insurance, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, retirement plans, tuition assistance, as well as voluntary benefits, which provide colleagues with access to group rates on insurance and discounts. Colleagues have access to tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full time service or two years of part time service. All colleagues, including those who work less than part-time(including per diemcolleagues, adjunct faculty, and Jeff Temps), have access to medical (including prescription) insurance.

For more benefits information, please click here