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Occupation Profile
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Occupation: Occupational Therapists Change Occupation
State: Minnesota Change State
Profile Content: (content listed below) Modify Profile Content
Wages  |  Employment Trends  |  Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities  |  Tasks & Activities
Tools & Technology  |  Education & Training  |  Related Occupations
Web Resources

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS: MINNESOTA

Occupation Description

Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that help restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to disabled persons.


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Occupational Therapists
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State and National Wages

Location Pay
Period		 2008
10% 25% Median 75% 90%
United States Hourly $20.59 $26.49 $32.10 $39.08 $47.27
Yearly $42,800 $55,100 $66,800 $81,300 $98,300
Minnesota Hourly $22.71 $26.26 $29.22 $32.34 $36.95
Yearly $47,200 $54,600 $60,800 $67,300 $76,900
Annual Wages for Occupational Therapists

United States - $98,300 United States - $66,800 United States - $42,800 Minnesota - $76,900 Minnesota - $60,800 Minnesota - $47,200
  • High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
  • Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
  • Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Hourly Wages for Occupational Therapists

United States - $47.27 United States - $32.1 United States - $20.59 Minnesota - $36.95 Minnesota - $29.22 Minnesota - $22.71
  • High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
  • Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
  • Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Occupation Wages FAQs

Median Wage by Occupation Across States
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National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey
State Data Source: Minnesota Wage Information

State and National Trends

United States Employment Percent
Change		 Job Openings 1
2008 2018
Occupational therapists 104,500 131,300 +26% 4,580
Minnesota Employment Percent
Change		 Job Openings 1
2006 2016
Occupational therapists 2,070 2,600 +26% 80
1Job Openings refers to the average annual job openings due to growth and net replacement.

Note: The data for the State Employment Trends and the National Employment Trends are not directly comparable. The projections period for state data is 2006-2016, while the projections period for national data is 2008-2018.

Occupation Trends FAQs

Employment Trends by Occupation Across States
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Employment Trends by Industry and Occupation

National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections
State Data Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Occupational Therapists are grouped into the following occupations for which the most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed.

**************************************************
Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists

There is no information about knowledge, skills and abilities. This may occur because data has not been collected or because this is a composite occupation (e.g., "All Other").

**************************************************
Occupational Therapists

Knowledge:

  • Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
  • Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  • Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
  • Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Skills:

  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Abilities:

  • Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Source: Occupational Information Network: Occupational Therapists.

Tasks and Activities

Occupational Therapists are grouped into the following occupations for which occupation specific tasks, the most important generalized work activities, and detailed work activities are listed.

**************************************************
Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists

Occupation Specific Tasks:

  • Administer tests and interpret test results to develop rehabilitation plans for clients.
  • Assess clients' functioning in areas such as vision, orientation and mobility skills, social and emotional issues, cognition, physical abilities, and personal goals.
  • Collaborate with specialists, such as rehabilitation counselors, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists, to provide client solutions.
  • Design instructional programs to improve communication using devices such as slates and styluses, braillers, keyboards, adaptive handwriting devices, talking book machines, digital books, and optical character readers (OCRs).
  • Develop rehabilitation or instructional plans collaboratively with clients, based on results of assessments, needs, and goals.
  • Identify visual impairments related to basic life skills in areas such as self-care, literacy, communication, health management, home management, and meal preparation.
  • Monitor clients' progress to determine whether changes in rehabilitation plans are needed.
  • Obtain, distribute, or maintain low vision devices.
  • Participate in professional development activities such as reading literature, continuing education, attending conferences, and collaborating with colleagues.
  • Provide consultation, support, or education to groups such as parents and teachers.
  • Recommend appropriate mobility devices or systems such as human guides, dog guides, long canes, electronic travel aids (ETAs), and other adaptive mobility devices (AMDs).
  • Refer clients to services, such as eye care, health care, rehabilitation, and counseling, to enhance visual and life functioning or when condition exceeds scope of practice.
  • Teach cane skills including cane use with a guide, diagonal techniques, and two-point touches.
  • Teach clients to travel independently using a variety of actual or simulated travel situations or exercises.
  • Teach independent living skills or techniques such as adaptive eating, medication management, diabetes management, and personal management.
  • Train clients to read or write Braille.
  • Train clients to use adaptive equipment such as large print, reading stands, lamps, writing implements, software, and electronic devices.
  • Train clients to use tactile, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, and propioceptive information.
  • Train clients with visual impairments to use mobility devices or systems such as human guides, dog guides, electronic travel aids (ETAs), and other adaptive mobility devices (AMDs).
  • Write reports or complete forms to document assessments, training, progress, or follow-up outcomes.

Generalized Work Activities: No information about "Generalized Work Activities" for this occupation is available.

Detailed Work Activities: No information about "Detailed Work Activities" for this occupation is available.

Source: Occupational Information Network: Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists.

**************************************************
Occupational Therapists

Occupation Specific Tasks:

  • Advise on health risks in the workplace and on health-related transition to retirement.
  • Complete and maintain necessary records.
  • Conduct research in occupational therapy.
  • Consult with rehabilitation team to select activity programs and coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities.
  • Design and create, or requisition, special supplies and equipment, such as splints, braces and computer-aided adaptive equipment.
  • 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.
  • Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress.
  • Help clients improve decision making, abstract reasoning, memory, sequencing, coordination and perceptual skills, using computer programs.
  • Lay out materials such as puzzles, scissors and eating utensils for use in therapy, and clean and repair these tools after therapy sessions.
  • Plan and implement programs and social activities to help patients learn work and school skills and adjust to handicaps.
  • Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate those impaired because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems.
  • Provide patients with assistance in locating and holding jobs.
  • Provide training and supervision in therapy techniques and objectives for students and nurses and other medical staff.
  • Recommend changes in patients' work or living environments, consistent with their needs and capabilities.
  • Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental and physical capabilities.
  • Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients.
  • Train caregivers how to provide for the needs of a patient during and after therapy.

Generalized Work Activities:

  • Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • analyze medical data
  • analyze patient activity
  • apply appropriate physical restraint
  • assess therapy needs of patients
  • assist patient to improve or develop work skills
  • collect clinical data
  • communicate technical information
  • conduct patient assessments
  • coordinate patient activities with rehabilitation team
  • direct and coordinate treatment program activities
  • evaluate patient response to therapy
  • evaluate patient's skills or capacities
  • follow dental or medical office procedures
  • follow patient care procedures
  • identify body response variations
  • instruct patient in home programs or basic living skills
  • maintain records, reports, or files
  • make presentations on health or medical issues
  • observe patient condition
  • obtain information from clients, customers, or patients
  • plan therapy treatment program
  • position patient for therapy
  • teach individuals work-related techniques or skills
  • use clinical problem solving techniques
  • use interpersonal communication techniques
  • use knowledge of medical terminology
  • use sanitation practices in health care settings
  • work with persons with mental disabilities or illnesses

Source: Occupational Information Network: Occupational Therapists.

Tools and Technology

Occupational Therapists  View Detailed Report

Tools:

  • Adaptive communication switches for the physically challenged - Computer switch interfaces, Switch use tools, Wobble switches
  • Braille devices for the physically challenged - Braille printers
  • Computer mouse or trackballs - Trackballs
  • Cutlery or utensils for the physically challenged - Adaptive cutlery
  • Wheelchairs - Electric wheelchairs, Wheelchairs

Technology:

  • Computer based training software - Language arts educational software, Math educational software, Physical education educational software, Science educational software, Social studies educational software
  • Graphics or photo imaging software - Boardmaker Software, Computer drawing software
  • Internet browser software - Internet browser software, Synapse Adaptive Connect Outloud
  • Medical software - Lexrotech LxPediatric, Rehab Documentation Company ReDoc
  • Word processing software - Crick Software Clicker 4, OpenOffice WRITER, Word processing software

Source: Occupational Information Network: Occupational Therapists.

Education and Training

Occupation: Occupational Therapists
Most Common Educational/Training Level: Master's degree
Related Instructional Programs: Occupational Therapy/Therapist

Distribution of Educational Attainment
Occupation Percent of employees aged 25 to 44 in the occupation whose highest level of educational attainment is
Less than high school diploma High school diploma or equivalent Some college, no degree Associate's degree Bachelor's degree Master's degree Doctoral or professional degree
Occupational therapists 0.2% 0.5% 0.9% 8.6% 55.5% 31.1% 3.2%
Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners 0.6% 2.6% 3.6% 8.3% 18.9% 17.8% 48.2%
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 1.2% 10.4% 15.4% 15.4% 20.7% 11.6% 25.2%
Total, All Occupations 10.7% 27.6% 20.6% 8.9% 19.4% 8.3% 4.5%

Find colleges, training schools and instructional programs for this occupation.

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WIA Eligible Training Provider List: http://www.iseek.org/education/collegeList?area=&major=&instType=&wia=W&tuition=&x=27&y=10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections (Education/Training Level, Educational Attainment); National Center for Education Statistics (Typical Instructional Programs)

Related Occupation Profiles
Occupations with similar skill requirements

Web Resources

The following resources are related to occupations in the job family
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical

Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners
Health Technologists and Technicians
Other Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners
Health Technologists and Technicians
Other Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations


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