Occupational Therapy Career Guide: Roles, Salary 2025 & Future Scope
Parul ThapaAssistant Manager
An Occupational Therapy career provides various job opportunities, such as occupational therapists, occupational therapist assistants, rehabilitation therapists, clinical assistants, etc. The Occupational Therapy salary offered at entry-level positions ranges between INR 2.5, for mid-level profiles INR 5 LPA and for senior-level profiles INR 8 LPA.
Occupational Therapy course graduates can either go for jobs or pursue further options such as an MBA in Hospital Management, Clinical Research and Public Health courses, etc. The top recruiters where candidates can kickstart their Occupational Therapy career are Max Healthcare Group, Apollo Hospital Group, Tickles India, Fortis Healthcare Group, etc.
Suggested Links for Occupational Therapy Career Scope:
Occupational Therapy Career Scope: Quick Facts
- The most preferred treatment for occupational therapists is neuro-muscular education and re-education, with 32.1% of occupational therapists ranking it as their first choice.
- 39% of research in occupational therapy in India focuses on clinical research related to occupational therapy interventions.
- Occupational Therapist salary in India ranges between INR 0.3 Lakh to INR 8 Lakhs with an average annual salary of INR 3.9 LPA for less than 1 year of experience to 10 years of experience.
Top Career Profiles in Occupational Therapy
Candidates can check the job options they have:
|
Job Profiles |
Description |
Average Salary (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Healthcare Administrators |
The prime responsibility of this job seeker is to oversee the administrative operations of hospitals or healthcare facilities. |
6 LPA |
|
Epidemiologists |
An epidemiologist is responsible for planning, directing and working out ways to prevent and treat problems/diseases. |
5.7 LPA |
|
Public Health Educators |
The principal job of a public health educator is to ensure large groups of people receive awareness of community health areas. |
1 LPA |
|
Environmental Scientists |
A relatively new area of interest, an environmental scientist is involved in a variety of tasks surrounding the environment and its impact on public health. |
2.8 LPA |
|
Biosecurity Specialists |
These professionals develop and implement different safety measures related to biosecurity by creating plans and new procedures. |
15.3 LPA |
Relevant Links for Occupational Therapy Career Scope:
Clinical Research Professional Growth
Pharmacognosy Career Potential
Pharmacovigilance Employment Opportunities
Occupational Therapy Scope in India: Jobs, Salary and Further Education
Occupational Therapy career in India offers promising career opportunities as healthcare awareness and rehabilitation services continue to grow.
They are in demand in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, mental health institutions, schools for children with special needs, and even private practice.
The table below shows the industries where an Occupational Therapy graduate can find job:
|
Sectors |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Healthcare |
Hospitals, rehabilitation centres, orthopaedic clinics, and nursing homes. |
|
Education |
Special schools, inclusive education institutions, and early intervention centres. |
|
Mental Health |
Psychiatric hospitals, mental health clinics, and community mental health programs. |
|
Sports |
Sports rehabilitation centres and teams focusing on injury recovery and performance optimization. |
|
NGOs |
Organizations working with individuals with disabilities, developmental delays, or social challenges. |
|
Private Practice |
Offering personalized therapy and rehabilitation services. |
Courses After Occupational Therapy
Here are some advanced courses and certifications candidates can pursue:
|
Courses |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A 2-year PG course that provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage healthcare organizations, particularly hospitals and other healthcare facilities. |
|
|
A Public Health and Management course in India typically refers to a program of study that combines elements of Public Health and Management to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to address public health challenges from a managerial and administrative perspective. |
|
|
Clinical Research courses are educational programs designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct and manage clinical research studies. |
Recommended Resources for Occupational Therapy Career Scope:
Hospital Management Career Path
Learn more about Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy: Top Recruiters in India
The top recruiters are mentioned below:
|
Occupational Therapy Top Recruiters |
|
|---|---|
|
Max Healthcare Group |
Apollo Hospital Group |
|
Tickles India |
Fortis Healthcare Group |
|
The Wings Learning Centre |
Nirmala Hospital, New Delhi |
Best Occupational Therapy Colleges: Placements
Listed below are some of the best Occupational Therapy colleges in India known for their placement:
|
College Name |
Median Salary |
|---|---|
|
13.55 LPA |
|
|
6.8 - 11.75 LPA |
|
|
10.3 LPA |
|
|
6.75 LPA |
|
|
6.4 LPA |
|
|
5.95 LPA |
|
|
5.8 LPA |
|
|
4.87 - 5.72 LPA |
|
|
5.3 LPA |
Recommended Topics for Occupational Therapy Career Scope:
High Salary Career Options in Medical without NEET in India
Different options to go with if the NEET score is low
Occupational Therapy Carer Scope: FAQs
Q. Who is an Occupational Therapist?
A. For your reference, an Occupational Therapist is the one who helps people to overcome their problems and improve their ability to do activities. Their core duties are mentioned below-
- Patient assessment and planning
- Therapy and rehabilitation
- Return-to-work support
Q. What are the pros of a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy course?
A. Pros of a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy Course are:
- Demand is increasing
-
Career opportunities in hospitals, schools, etc
-
Physical and mental health
Q. How can I become an Occupational Therapist in India?
A. Follow the steps below to become a Occupational Therapists:
- Must have completed Class 12 in PCB.
- Enroll in a BOT programme, with 4.5 years duration.
- Gain Practical Experience
- Consider Advanced Education
Q. Where do Occupational Therapists work?
A. Occupational therapists work is hospitals. In hospitals, they obtain experience under senior doctors and learn to provide rehabilitation services to patients recovering from surgeries, injuries, or illnesses.
Q. How does a Physical Therapist become a Physician Assistant?
A. For a variety of reasons, a physical therapist may wish to progress to the position of physician assistant. To become a physician assistant, a physical therapist must either fulfil or complete the prerequisites and higher education criteria required to apply to a physician assistant programme.
They will need to become qualified as a physician assistant after completing a two-year physician assistant programme.
Q. Can I become a doctor after Occupational Therapy?
A. Yes, you can become a doctor after completing a degree in Occupational Therapy. After becoming a doctor in MBBS or MD, requires starting a new medical education pathway.
A degree in Occupational Therapy does not qualify you to practice as a doctor, as it focuses on rehabilitation and therapy rather than medicine and surgery.
Q. Which has a better salary, a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy or a Bachelor of Physiotherapy?
A. In India, the salary for a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and a Bachelor of Physiotherapy can be quite similar. Listed below are the level-wise salary:
- Entry-Level: INR 2.5 to INR 4.5 Lacs per annum.
- Mid-Level: Physiotherapists = INR 4.5 to INR 7 Lacs per annum
occupational therapists = INR 4.5 to INR 6.5 Lacs per annum
Q. What is the scope of Occupational Therapists in hospitals?
A. The scope of Occupational Therapists in a hospital is the recovery of patients from illness, injury, or surgery. The aim is to improve the quality of life.
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Popular Occupational Therapy Courses Colleges in India
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Most Popular Courses
Popular Courses
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (B.O.Th.)Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and KEM Hospital
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (B.O.Th)Saveetha University - Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences
- BOT (Bachelor in Occupational Therapy)Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT)College of Occupational Therapy, SRM IST, Kattankulathur
Popular Occupational Therapy Courses UG Courses
UG Courses
- B.O.Th
55 Colleges
- B.Sc.
7 Colleges
- UG Diploma
1 College
- B.Sc(Hons.)
1 College
Popular Occupational Therapy Courses PG Courses
PG Courses
- MOT
24 Colleges
- M.Sc.
5 Colleges
- PG Diploma
1 College
- M.Optom.
1 College
News & Updates
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 months ago
Physiotherapy focuses on improving movement, strength, and physical function after injuries, surgeries, or illnesses. It deals with the rehabilitation of muscles, bones, and nerves through exercises and manual therapy.
Occupational Therapy, on the other hand, emphasizes helping patients perform daily
A
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What is the difference between Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy?