The faculty member who teaches occupational therapy in an OT program — covering theory, intervention, supervised fieldwork, and the clinical reasoning that OT practice requires. Half academic faculty, half practicing or recently practicing OT.
Most days tend to involve a blend of classroom teaching, lab supervision, and fieldwork coordination — leading didactic content, supervising students in simulated practice, and partnering with fieldwork sites that host placements. You'll often spend part of the time on scholarly work — research, case work, or curriculum development.
The harder part is often balancing teaching with continued clinical relevance — OT education is most valuable when faculty stay close to practice. You'll typically work with cohorts moving toward registration, while keeping content current with evolving evidence and the shifting role of OT in healthcare.
People who tend to thrive here are clinically grounded, patient teachers, and willing to invest in academic scholarship. The trade-off is the salary differential between academic and clinical OT practice and the cumulative work of teaching, scholarship, and service. If you find satisfaction in shaping the next generation of OTs, the work can carry quiet, durable impact.
Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.
Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.
The faculty member who teaches occupational therapy in an OT program — covering theory, intervention, supervised fieldwork, and the clinical reasoning that OT practice requires. Half academic faculty, half practicing or recently practicing OT.
Median pay for an Occupational Therapy Professor is about $106K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $52K to $208K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).
Core skills for this role include Speaking, Instructing, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, and Learning Strategies.
Most people in this role hold a master's degree.
Employment in this field is projected to grow about 17.3% through 2034, with roughly 229,720 people working in it today (BLS).
Closely related roles include Health Teacher, First Aid Teacher, and Clinical Instructor.
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