Jobs Similar to Occupational Therapists
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to occupational therapists, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Physical Therapists, Nursing Instructors and Teachers and Recreational Therapists.
Occupational Therapists: $100,330 median pay · usual preparation: Graduate degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Occupational Therapists) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physical TherapistsSame group | 85% | $102,760+2% | Graduate degree |
| 2 | Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | 84% | $80,250−20% | Graduate degree |
| 3 | Recreational TherapistsSame group | 83% | $61,960−38% | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Nurse MidwivesSame group | 83% | $134,040+34% | Graduate degree |
| 5 | Midwives | 82% | $65,790Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 6 | Speech-Language PathologistsSame group | 81% | $97,870−2% | Graduate degree |
| 7 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansSame group | 81% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 8 | Occupational Therapy Assistants | 81% | $72,300−28% | Training or associate |
| 9 | Physician AssistantsSame group | 81% | $135,880+35% | Graduate degree |
| 10 | Nurse PractitionersSame group | 81% | $132,300+32% | Graduate degree |
| 11 | Psychiatric Technicians | 80% | $45,130−55% | Training or associate |
| 12 | Adapted Physical Education Specialists | 80% | $76,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Athletic Trainers | 80% | $62,520−38% | Graduate degree |
| 14 | Pediatricians, GeneralSame group | 80% | $210,040+109% | Graduate degree |
| 15 | Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 80% | $60,280−40% | Graduate degree |
| 16 | HospitalistsSame group | 80% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 17 | Healthcare Social Workers | 80% | $67,880−32% | Graduate degree |
| 18 | PsychiatristsSame group | 79% | $281,870+181% | Graduate degree |
| 19 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric NursesSame group | 79% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 20 | Naturopathic PhysiciansSame group | 79% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
- 1Physical Therapists
85% similar · $102,760 (+2%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
84% similar · $80,250 (−20%) · Graduate degree
- 3Recreational Therapists
83% similar · $61,960 (−38%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 4Nurse Midwives
83% similar · $134,040 (+34%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 5Midwives
82% similar · $65,790 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 6Speech-Language Pathologists
81% similar · $97,870 (−2%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 7Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
81% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Occupational Therapy Assistants
81% similar · $72,300 (−28%) · Training or associate
- 9Physician Assistants
81% similar · $135,880 (+35%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 10Nurse Practitioners
81% similar · $132,300 (+32%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 11Psychiatric Technicians
80% similar · $45,130 (−55%) · Training or associate
- 12Adapted Physical Education Specialists
80% similar · $76,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 13Athletic Trainers
80% similar · $62,520 (−38%) · Graduate degree
- 14Pediatricians, General
80% similar · $210,040 (+109%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 15Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
80% similar · $60,280 (−40%) · Graduate degree
- 16Hospitalists
80% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 17Healthcare Social Workers
80% similar · $67,880 (−32%) · Graduate degree
- 18Psychiatrists
79% similar · $281,870 (+181%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 19Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
79% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 20Naturopathic Physicians
79% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than occupational therapists.
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for occupational therapists also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where occupational therapists is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Athletic Trainers (87)
- Neuropsychologists (86)
- Healthcare Social Workers (84)
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (84)
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary (84)
- Clinical Neuropsychologists (83)
- Rehabilitation Counselors (83)
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (82)
- Marriage and Family Therapists (82)
- Midwives (82)
Questions about jobs like occupational therapists
What jobs are most similar to occupational therapists?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Physical Therapists (85% similar), Nursing Instructors and Teachers (84% similar), Recreational Therapists (83% similar), Nurse Midwives (83% similar) and Midwives (82% similar).
Which jobs like occupational therapists pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Psychiatrists ($281,870, +181%; usually a graduate degree), Pediatricians (General) ($210,040, +109%; usually a graduate degree) and Physician Assistants ($135,880, +35%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with occupational therapists ($100,330). Without more preparation than occupational therapists usually need: Psychiatrists, Pediatricians (General) and Physician Assistants.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.