Money Magazine Names Occupational Therapist in 50 Best Jobs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The profession of occupational therapy made the list of Money Magazine's 50 best jobs in America. According to the study, the high-ranking comes from a variety of factors including compensation and forecasted growth.
"We've been experiencing growth in the need for and use of occupational therapy for some time, and it's gratifying to see an independent source confirm the value of the profession," said AOTA President M. Carolyn Baum, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, in a news release. "This phenomenal growth makes it all the more important that occupational therapy envisions where the profession is going, in order to manage this growth."
The report reveals a list of jobs that the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects will grow at an above average rate over the next decade. Jobs with average pay below $50,000; total employment of less than 15,000; dangerous work environments; or fewer than 800 annual job openings were eliminated from consideration. The positions were then rated by stress levels, flexibility in hours and working environment, creativity, and how easy it is to enter and advance in the field. The jobs were ranked with double weight being given to compensation and percentage growth.
Occupational therapists are forecast to enjoy 33.61 percent job growth over the next decade and have current salaries averaging $51,973.
"The opportunities for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are not only strong, they are diverse," added Dr. Baum. "Our professionals provide services for the full spectrum of life, beginning with children, helping provide skills to grow up and continuing all the way through to senior citizens, to help provide skills for growing older."
Source: The American Occupational Therapy Association
This article originally appeared in the April 2006 issue of HME Business.