Occupational Therapists
Machines can already do 24% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 46%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Occupational Therapists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 24% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 1% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2037, and 46% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 162,450 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $100,330 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 86% for contact with people.
- Also called: Assistive Technology Trainer, Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), Early Intervention Occupational Therapist, Home Health Occupational Therapist.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate persons with disabilities because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems | 29% | 3% to 25% | |
| Complete and maintain necessary records | 17% | 63% to 81% | |
| Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients | 13% | 3% to 25% | |
| Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress | 7% | 50% to 74% | |
| Plan and implement programs and social activities to help patients learn work or school skills and adjust to handicaps | 5% | 32% to 55% | |
| Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental or physical capabilities | 5% | 32% to 55% | |
| Consult with rehabilitation team to select activity programs or coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities | 5% | 27% to 46% | |
| Train caregivers in providing for the needs of a patient during and after therapy | 4% | 22% to 42% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills occupational therapists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Physical Therapists41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $102,760
- Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $100,330
- Nurse Midwives45% of tasks by 2035 · US median $134,040
- Athletic Trainers39% of tasks by 2035 · US median $62,520
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Occupational Therapists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2037. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of occupational therapists?
Machines can do 24% of the tasks of occupational therapists today and 46% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 29-1122.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Occupational Therapists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/occupational-therapists/