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Occupational Therapists in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Tina Fine Tina Fine New York, United States Last Updated: November 2024 NAICS OD5872

Revenue

$29.6bn

2024

$29.6bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

146k

Businesses

41,813

Wages

$XX.Xbn

Occupational Therapists in the US industry analysis

 Occupational therapists (OTs) treat individuals with physical, mental, or developmental conditions. Therapists work to improve their client's ability to complete daily living activities, help children participate in school and social situations, assist individuals in recovering from injury and support those with physical and cognitive challenges. The industry has benefited from growing demand for occupational therapy (OT) services and increased financial accessibility for patients as a result of disposable income growth and beneficial government healthcare policies. However, the industry took a hit in 2020 and 2021 as the pandemic limited appointments and reduced spending. The identification of OTs as essential and the use of telehealth and economic conditions following the pandemic mitigated some of the declines in 2020 and 2021, and industry-wide revenue declined at a CAGR of -0.3% through 2024 and is expected to total $29.6 billion in 2024 when revenue will grow 0.5% in 2024 alone.

Trends and Insights

  • Telehealth supported occupational therapists during the pandemic and after. As essential workers, OTs quickly adopted telehealth, helping to minimize revenue losses aided by positive economic factors.
  • Hospitals are the largest market for occupational therapists. OTs typically see a steady stream of patients recovering from physical or mental conditions who need OT services to regain daily living skills.
  • The West and Rocky Mountain regions attract occupational therapists for distinct reasons. The West offers diverse job opportunities with prestigious healthcare and academic institutions, while the Rocky Mountains range of activities drives demand for OT services.
  • Occupational therapists face intense competition in crowded markets. Success depends on building a standout reputation with high-quality service and forming solid relationships with patient referral sources like insurance companies and hospitals.

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  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 0.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $29.6bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Recovery fueled by pent-up demand and telehealth

  • The occupational therapy sector experienced a downturn during the pandemic due to social distancing measures limiting in-person appointments. Telehealth services sustained revenue streams and a significant resurgence occurred after the vaccine rollout in 2021.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Occupational Therapists in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Changes in insurance coverage and increases in income empower revenue growth

  • Federal funding for Medicare and Medicaid will increase, enhancing the financial accessibility of OT services. However, part of industry growth could result from healthcare inflation rather than increased coverage as total health expenditures are expected to expand.

Biggest companies in the Occupational Therapists in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Encompass Health Corporation
1,340.0
154.2
11.5

To view the market share and analysis for all 1 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Occupational Therapists in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Direct client intervention, Indirect intervention and administrative activities and Consultation services. Direct client intervention is the largest segment of the Occupational Therapists in the US.

Trends and Insights

Direct client intervention is necessary for healing

  • Therapeutic intervention can be defined as an effort individuals or groups make to improve someone's well-being. For occupational therapists, this constitutes time directly counseling patients after an initial evaluation.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry includes independent health practitioners who help individuals with physical, mental or developmental conditions with daily living and working through everyday activities (occupations). More specifically, occupational therapy includes helping children with disabilities participate fully in school and social situations, helping individuals recovering from injury regain skills, and providing support for individuals experiencing physical and cognitive changes.

What's included in this industry?

Direct client interventionIndirect intervention and administrative activitiesConsultation servicesResearch activities

Companies

Encompass Health Corporation

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Related Terms

WORKERS' COMPENSATIONMUSCULOSKELETAL OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 62134 - Occupational Therapists in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Telehealth supported occupational therapists during the pandemic and after. As essential workers, OTs quickly adopted telehealth, helping to minimize revenue losses aided by ...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Hospitals are the largest market for occupational therapists. OTs typically see a steady stream of patients recovering from physical or mental conditions who need OT services...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The West and Rocky Mountain regions attract occupational therapists for distinct reasons. The West offers diverse job opportunities with prestigious healthcare and academic i...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Occupational therapists face intense competition in crowded markets. Success depends on building a standout reputation with high-quality service and forming solid relationshi...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

The occupational therapists industry is fragmented. Services are delivered directly to clients, resulting in geographical dispersion and preventing any single company from do...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Encompass Health Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Encompass Health Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Occupational therapists face intricate regulatory and policy challenges. They must navigate state licensing requirements, anti-kickback laws and continuously evolving legal, ...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

A downturn in occupational therapist wage growth has bolstered profit. Shifts towards using occupational therapy assistants because of staffing shortages and efforts to provi...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Occupational Therapists in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Occupational Therapists in the US industry in United States is $29.6bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Occupational Therapists in the US industry in 2024?

There are 41,813 businesses in the Occupational Therapists in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Occupational Therapists in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Occupational Therapists in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 0.3 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Occupational Therapists in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Occupational Therapists in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Occupational Therapists in the US market in United States?

The biggest company operating in the Occupational Therapists market in United States is Encompass Health Corporation

What does the Occupational Therapists in the US in United States include?

Direct client intervention and Indirect intervention and administrative activities are part of the Occupational Therapists in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Occupational Therapists in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is Encompass Health Corporation.

How competitive is the Occupational Therapists in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Occupational Therapists in the US industry in United States.

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Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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