Occupational therapists

£34,414

Average salary

Average annual salary UK 2022 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

38 hours

Average weekly hours

Average weekly hours UK 2022 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

0.48%

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate UK 2020 | Labour Force Survey

Definition: Occupational therapists

*SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification): 2222

Occupational therapists work with people who have a physical or learning disability or mental illness, actively engaging them in purposeful activities in order to maximise self-confidence, independent functioning and well-being.

Common tasks include:

considers the physical, psychological and social needs of a patient that may result from illness, injury, congenital condition or lifestyle problems
devises, designs, initiates and monitors carefully selected and graded treatments and activities as part of the assessment and intervention process
liaises with a wide variety of other professionals in planning and reviewing ongoing treatments
trains students and supervises the work of occupational therapy assistants
makes home visits to clients, families and carers to organise support and rehabilitation and assist them to deal and cope with disability
counsels clients in ways to promote a healthy lifestyle, prevention of illness and/or preparation for coping with increasing stages of illness
maintains patient records, manages caseloads

Qualifications

Entrants usually possess A levels/H grades, an HND/HNC, a BTEC/SQA award or equivalent qualifications followed by training on an approved degree scheme necessary for state registration as an occupational therapist. There is a minimum age limit of 18 years to enter training.

*Introduced in 1990, SOC is a multi-purpose common classification of occupations in UK. Jobs are defined in terms of skill level and skill content, including qualifications, training and work experience.

Employment status: Occupational therapists

Regional employment: Occupational therapists

Future employment: Occupational therapists

Top 12 industries: Occupational therapists

Alternative & related job titles: Occupational therapists

Community occupational therapist Occupational therapist Paediatric occupational therapist

Equality focus: Occupational therapists

Breaking down the official government big data sources by gender, age and region. Hours and pay data based on full time equlivalent roles.