Occupational therapists

£37,543

Average salary

Average annual salary UK 2020 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

34 hours

Average weekly hours

Average weekly hours UK 2019 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

0.22%

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 Advanced GNVQ/GSVQ Level III, 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

Therapist, occupational

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.