Occupational Therapist

O*NET: Occupational Therapists·29-1122.00

The Verdict:Occupational therapy centers on hands-on guidance, adapting tools and activities to each patient's unique needs in real-world settings. AI aids planning and records but cannot replicate tactile feedback or therapeutic rapport. Licensure and rising demand from aging populations ensure durability.

Resilience Score

/100

Highly Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$98k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+13.8%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 2 of 18 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

11%

Low exposure

Task Analysis

This role's core work is hard to automate.
11 of 18 tasks require human judgment, presence, or trust. The 28% that are AI-leverage offer an edge — professionals who learn these tools will outperform those who don't.

2exposed

5AI leverage

11human-essential

View all 18 tasks

AI Can Handle This2 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Complete and maintain necessary records.

Conduct research in occupational therapy.

AI Leverage5 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients.

Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress.

Consult with rehabilitation team to select activity programs or coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities.

Help clients improve decision making, abstract reasoning, memory, sequencing, coordination, and perceptual skills, using computer programs.

Advise on health risks in the workplace or on health-related transition to retirement.

Human Advantage11 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate persons with disabilities because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems.

Plan and implement programs and social activities to help patients learn work or school skills and adjust to handicaps.

Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental or physical capabilities.

Train caregivers in providing for the needs of a patient during and after therapy.

Lay out materials such as puzzles, scissors and eating utensils for use in therapy, and clean and repair these tools after therapy sessions.

Design and create, or requisition, special supplies and equipment, such as splints, braces, and computer-aided adaptive equipment.

Recommend changes in patients' work or living environments, consistent with their needs and capabilities.

Develop and participate in health promotion programs, group activities, or discussions to promote client health, facilitate social adjustment, alleviate stress, and prevent physical or mental disability.

Provide training and supervision in therapy techniques and objectives for students or nurses and other medical staff.

Provide patients with assistance in locating or holding jobs.

Recommend adaptive equipment to individuals to increase independence in daily living activities.

Resilience Landscape

Occupational Therapist lands in Stable & Well-Paid

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