Occupational Therapist
| Median wage (USD) | 98340 |
|---|---|
| Projected employment growth (%) | 14 |
| AI exposure (%) | 39 |
| Maximum exposure (%) | 67 |
| Source | eloundou |
| GPT-4 exposure — beta / zeta (%) | 30 · 48 |
| What AI changes in this occupation | Clinical note-taking (SOAP notes) and standardized treatment plan drafting are already assisted by AI tools built into electronic health records. Generating home exercise programs and summarizing progress reports are shifting toward AI-drafted templates that the therapist must review and adapt. In-person functional assessment, real-time creative adaptation of exercises, and the therapeutic relationship remain impossible to automate. |
| Key skills | Functional assessment · therapeutic rapport · creative adaptation · biomechanical knowledge · patient education |
| Courses to get ahead | Anatomy: Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems · Coursera · 3 sem. · 96 · Builds the biomechanical grounding needed to personalize plans beyond standard protocols. Disability Awareness and Support · Coursera · 8 h · 92 · Helps justify and document assistive-technology recommendations beyond routine admin work. An Introduction to Accessibility and Inclusive Design · Coursera · 2 sem. · 94 · Deepens accessible-design skills that AI cannot substitute for. Anatomy: Human Neuroanatomy · Coursera · 2 sem. · 98 Comprehensive Shoulder Rehabilitation · Coursera · 4 sem. · 80 Business Models for Innovative Care for Older People · Coursera · 1 sem. · 90 |
| Occupations to pivot toward | Registered Nurse · 93600 · 5 · 38 Nursing Assistant · 39530 · 2 · 14 Physical Therapist · 99710 · 14 · 34 |
| Skills to acquire for the pivot | AI can generate a generic exercise program in seconds, but it cannot see or correct a patient's actual movement in the room. AI-assisted documentation tools save administrative time, which — contrary to the common assumption — increases time spent with patients rather than replacing staff. The occupational therapist shortage (14% projected growth) means AI is mainly absorbing paperwork load, not reducing headcount. |