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Occupational Therapists in Washington

Occupational Therapists in Washington

Considering working as an Occupational Therapists in Washington? Below are the key facts. Assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays. Use therapeutic techniques, adapt the individual’s environment, teach skills, and modify specific tasks that present barriers to the individual. Excludes “Rehabilitation Counselors” (21-1015).

What do Occupational Therapists Make in Washington?

The occupational therapists working in Washington, the median annual wage is $102,360 per year (or roughly $49.21/hour).Earnings range from $79,810 at the 10th percentile to $130,630 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $79,810 $38.37
25th percentile $94,870 $45.61
Median (50th) $102,360 $49.21
75th percentile $120,440 $57.91
90th percentile $130,630 $62.80
Salary ranges for Occupational Therapists in Washington

The job concentration index in Washington nationwide is 0.98.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, occupational therapists earn a median of $82,501 per year ($39.66/hour), higher than the Washington median.

Occupational Therapists earnings in Washington vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

National employment for 2,446,955 occupational therapists across the United States. In Washington alone, around 3,410 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 1,940 occupational therapists.

Occupational Therapists in Washington vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Occupational Therapists

Top Washington Metros for Occupational Therapists

The metro areas below employ the most occupational therapists in Washington.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 2,260 $104,120
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA 280 $96,350
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA 110 $97,830
Kennewick-Richland, WA 90 $101,710
Bellingham, WA 80 $97,690
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA 70 $103,230
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA 50 $103,190
Yakima, WA 50 $107,500
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA 40 $108,810

Top States for Occupational Therapists Employment

These states have the highest employment of occupational therapists work.

State Number Employed
California 12,020
Texas 11,700
New York 10,540
Florida 9,230
Illinois 7,410
Pennsylvania 7,200
Ohio 6,480
Massachusetts 6,250
Michigan 5,090
North Carolina 4,910
New Jersey 4,830
Colorado 3,740
Georgia 3,670
Virginia 3,670
Wisconsin 3,620
Indiana 3,440
Washington 3,410
Minnesota 3,360
Connecticut 3,000
Missouri 2,850

Highest-Paying States for Occupational Therapists

Where occupational therapists earn the most: occupational therapists.

State Annual Median Salary
California $119,470
Oregon $106,840
Nevada $104,770
Colorado $103,970
Oklahoma $103,510
New Jersey $103,340
Washington $102,360
Arizona $102,220
Connecticut $102,080
Maryland $101,880

Skills

The most important occupational therapists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Service Orientation  4.1 / 5
0
5
Monitoring  4.1 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  4.1 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Instructing  4.0 / 5
0
5
Speaking  4.0 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Therapy and Counseling  4.7 / 5
0
5
Psychology  4.5 / 5
0
5
Customer and Personal Service  4.3 / 5
0
5
Medicine and Dentistry  4.2 / 5
0
5
English Language  4.1 / 5
0
5
Education and Training  3.9 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Key abilities for occupational therapists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Oral Expression  4.1 / 5
0
5
Inductive Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Written Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Deductive Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Problem Sensitivity  4.0 / 5
0
5
Speech Recognition  3.9 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

  • Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients.
  • Complete and maintain necessary records.
  • 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.
  • Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress.
  • 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.
  • Consult with rehabilitation team to select activity programs or 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.
  • 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.

Work Activities

  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Assisting and Caring for Others
  • Getting Information
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Developing Objectives and Strategies
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  • Thinking Creatively
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: eClinicalWorks EHR software

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Related college programs include:

  • Rehabilitation Professions

Careers similar to occupational therapists include:

Also Known As

Acute Care OT (Acute Care Occupational Therapist), Assistive Technology Trainer, Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), Early Intervention Occupational Therapist, Home Care Occupational Therapist (Home Care OT), Home Health Occupational Therapist, Independent Living Specialist, Industrial Rehabilitation Consultant, Industrial Therapist, Inpatient Occupational Therapist (Inpatient OT), Job Trainer, Occupational Therapist (OT), Outpatient Occupational Therapist (Outpatient OT), Pediatric Occupational Therapist (Pediatric OT), Pediatrics and Acute Care Occupational Therapist.

References

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