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Occupational Therapy Instructor information

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$64.5K

$105.4K

$149.5K

How much do occupational therapy instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for occupational therapy instructor in the United States is $105,410.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,000.00 and $123,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an occupational therapy instructor?

Occupational Therapy Instructors are professionals who teach and train students or practitioners in the field of occupational therapy. They develop and deliver curriculum, supervise clinical experiences, and mentor students to ensure they gain the necessary knowledge and skills. Occupational Therapy Instructors may work in universities, colleges, or healthcare facilities, and often have extensive clinical experience themselves. Their role is essential in preparing the next generation of occupational therapists to help individuals improve their ability to perform daily activities.

What does an occupational therapy instructor do?

An occupational therapy instructor or occupational therapy professor works in an educational setting to teach students who are interested in occupational therapy (OT). In this role, you do not work one-on-one with a patient, but you instead teach students to do so through clinical work and educational preparation. You help students to meet their goals of becoming occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants by helping them to understand the responsibilities of the career and the physical and emotional skills it takes to do the job well.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an occupational therapy instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Occupational Therapy Instructor, you need extensive knowledge of occupational therapy principles, experience in clinical practice, and typically a master's or doctoral degree in occupational therapy with appropriate state licensure. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), curriculum development tools, and evidence-based assessment methodologies is important. Strong communication, mentorship, and organizational skills help you effectively guide students and foster a supportive learning environment. These skills and qualifications ensure that future occupational therapists receive high-quality education and are well-prepared for professional practice.

How do occupational therapy instructors typically collaborate with clinical staff and students during practicum placements?

Occupational Therapy Instructors play a key role in coordinating with clinical staff to ensure students have meaningful and supervised practicum experiences. They often act as a bridge between academic learning and hands-on clinical practice, providing guidance, feedback, and support to students while also maintaining open communication with clinical supervisors. This collaboration helps ensure that educational goals are met, students are appropriately challenged, and emerging professionals are prepared for real-world practice. Instructors may also conduct site visits, evaluate student progress, and facilitate problem-solving discussions between all parties involved.

What is the difference between Occupational Therapy Instructor vs Occupational Therapist?

AspectOccupational Therapy InstructorOccupational Therapist
CredentialsMaster's degree in Occupational Therapy or related field, teaching certificationMaster's or Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, state licensure
Work EnvironmentEducational settings, universities, training programsClinical settings, hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, healthcare training programsHealthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers, schools
Primary FocusTeaching, curriculum development, student supervisionPatient assessment, treatment planning, therapy delivery

Occupational Therapy Instructors primarily focus on education and training within academic settings, while Occupational Therapists work directly with patients to provide therapy. Both roles require relevant credentials, but their work environments and responsibilities differ significantly.

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Occupational Therapy Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Occupational Therapy Instructor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,410 per year, or $50.7 per hour.

Adjunct Instructor-Occupational Therapy

The University of Tennessee

Memphis, TN • On-site

Part-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description


The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Occupational Therapy is seeking a part-time non-tenure Adjunct Occupational Therapy Instructor. This position is responsible for teaching assigned courses or course components within the Occupational Therapy (OT) Department MOT and OTD programs. This position provides high-quality instruction that aligns with program goals, accreditation standards, and the mission of the institution.
Responsibilities
Assist with grading products produced by the students, providing examples of pediatric splints and preparing and setting up of lab practical. Also, teach primary lectures as well. Provide specialty training in children orthotics. Assist with other assigned teaching duties within the Occupational Therapy Program as needed.
Qualifications
EDUCATION: Doctoral Degree.
EXPERIENCE: Demonstrated expertise in area(s) of assigned teaching for credentialing purposes.
LICENSES: Current valid license or license eligible as an Occupational Therapist in the State of Tennessee.
THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is a statewide flagship, public, academic health institution in Tennessee. Founded in 1911, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is to improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans and the global community by fostering collaborative education, research, scientific discovery, clinical care, and public service. Employing more than 4,600 people on its faculty, staff, and not-for-profit corporation faculty practice groups, and with more than 3,200 students across the state, UT Health Science Center contributes $4 billion to the economy of Tennessee.
Part of the University of Tennessee System, the Health Science Center is headquartered in Memphis and includes all six of UT's doctoral-degree-granting health science colleges -- Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Graduate Health Sciences, and Health Professions. UT Health Science Center spans the state with its four major, regional clinical health science locations in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville, as well as more than 100 clinical education sites across Tennessee. UT Health Science Center is the largest educator of health care professionals in the state and operates the state's largest residency and fellowship advanced training programs.
Located in West Tennessee on the banks of the Mississippi River, Memphis is the second-largest city in the state and among the largest cities in the Southeast. The Greater Memphis metropolitan area has more than 1.3 million residents, and the city ranks among those with the lowest cost of living in the country. It is home to a vibrant restaurant scene, a revitalized Downtown, the Midtown Arts District, many scenic neighborhoods, an active medical district, and a burgeoning airport in the midst of a $214 million modernization.
Memphis boasts attractions, including Elvis Presley's Graceland, the Memphis Grizzlies, historic Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, the second-largest urban county park in the United States, and the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.

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