With the current unemployment rate at 6.1 percent – an increase of 1.4 percentage points and 2.2 million unemployed persons over the past 12 months – people everywhere are fearful of how their careers will weather the current economic climate. However, launching a career as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant might be a good idea, according to Laurence Shatkin’s, Ph.D., newly released “150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs” (JIST, 2008).
“The numbers don’t lie. Demand for occupational therapy services is on the rise, and new practitioners are needed to fill the demand,” said Penny Moyers Cleveland, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, president of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). “And, many occupational therapy programs meet the needs of people who have been out of school for a while or are changing careers.”
The 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs Overall
#18: Occupational Therapist
Annual Earnings: $60,470
Percent Growth: 23.1 percent
Annual Openings: 8,338
#72: Occupational Therapy Assistant
Annual Earnings: $42,060
Percent Growth: 25.4 percent
Annual Openings: 2,634
The 50 Best-Paying Recession-Proof Jobs
#35: Occupational Therapist
Annual Earnings: $60,470
The 50 Fastest-Growing Recession-Proof Jobs
#24: Occupational Therapy Assistant
Percent Growth: 25.4 percent
#41: Occupational Therapist
Percent Growth: 23.1 percent
Best Recession-Proof Jobs with the Highest Percentage of Workers Age 55 and Over
#74: Occupational Therapy Assistant
Percent Age 55 and Over: 19 percent
Best Recession-Proof Jobs Employing the Highest Percentage of Women
#13: Occupational Therapist
Percent Women: 90.3 percent
#14: Occupational Therapy Assistant
Percent Women: 89.4 percent
U.S. News & World Report also cited occupational therapy as a top profession in 2008.
