Where Do Occupational Therapists Work? Surprising Places You’ll Find OTs

Published on: March 26, 2025

Rehabilitation gym equipment stacked together in front of a mirror.

When asking, "Where do occupational therapists work?" hospitals and schools often come to mind, yet occupational therapist (OT) career paths extend far beyond traditional settings. OTs support individuals in diverse environments, from corporate offices to disaster relief zones, adapting their skills to unique challenges. Whether developing innovations in research labs or providing therapy for veterans, OTs make a lasting impact.

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Below, we explore both conventional and unexpected job opportunities to help aspiring therapists find the best fit for their skills and interests.

Traditional Places OTs Work

Occupational therapists commonly work in hospitals, schools and rehabilitation centers, helping patients recover, manage disabilities and develop life skills. These settings provide stable job opportunities and allow OTs to collaborate with healthcare teams and educators.

Hospitals and Rehabilitation Centers

Many occupational therapists work in hospitals and rehabilitation centers with patients who are regaining independence after injuries, surgeries or medical conditions. They assist with mobility, fine motor skills, pain management and cognitive rehabilitation to ensure patients can perform essential daily activities. In rehabilitation centers, OTs develop personalized therapy plans — incorporating assistive technology and adaptive techniques to help patients return to work, care for themselves and navigate daily routines more effectively.

Schools and Educational Institutions

OTs support students in schools and educational institutions by improving handwriting, attention and self-regulation for better classroom engagement. They collaborate with educators and parents to create individualized strategies (including environmental modifications and assistive technology), ensuring accessibility for diverse learners. OTs help students develop independence and prepare for further education and employment.

Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

In nursing homes and assisted living facilities, occupational therapists help older adults maintain independence while adapting to physical and cognitive changes. They focus on essential daily tasks like bathing, dressing and eating, while also addressing home management and social participation. Through personalized interventions, OTs make sure residents can safely engage in meaningful activities, ultimately supporting their long-term well-being.

Surprising Places Occupational Therapists Might Work

Where do OTs work beyond hospitals and schools? Occupational therapists apply their expertise in unexpected settings: They assist first responders, design innovative tools and support individuals in correctional facilities — demonstrating the profession’s adaptability and impact across a range of environments.

Corporate and Workplace Wellness Programs

OTs are increasingly contributing to corporate and workplace wellness programs with a focus on enhancing employee well-being and productivity. They assess work environments, recommend ergonomic adjustments and implement health promotion strategies to reduce injury risks and manage stress. By integrating assistive technology and advocating for healthy work habits, OTs help employees perform optimally, which benefits both individual health and organizational efficiency.

Prisons and Correctional Facilities

OTs work in prisons and correctional facilities with inmates to develop essential life skills for rehabilitation and reintegration. They assist with emotional regulation, stress management and vocational training while addressing challenges that contribute to recidivism. In addition, OTs may introduce assistive technology and adaptive strategies to support individuals with physical or cognitive impairments, improving their ability to function within the correctional system and beyond.

Homeless Shelters and Community Outreach Programs

In homeless shelters and community outreach programs, OTs help individuals regain independence by improving daily living and job-related skills. They assist with personal hygiene, meal prep and financial management — key elements for securing stable housing and employment. OTs also teach coping strategies for anxiety and trauma, support substance use recovery and connect clients with community resources. Additionally, they introduce assistive technology (such as adaptive kitchen tools or communication devices) to help individuals with disabilities manage daily tasks.

Animal-Assisted Therapy Centers

OTs often collaborate with animal-assisted therapy centers to enhance therapeutic outcomes for individuals facing various challenges. By integrating animals such as dogs or even miniature therapy horses into treatment plans, OTs aim to improve patients' physical, emotional and social well-being. For example, interactions with therapy animals have been shown to reduce stress, improve mood and encourage social engagement among patients. This approach exemplifies the diverse environments where OTs apply their skills — extending beyond traditional settings to incorporate innovative therapies that promote holistic health.

Military Bases and Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospitals

OTs provide essential care in military bases and VA hospitals to help service members and veterans recover from physical and psychological challenges. They assist with rehabilitation for injuries like amputations and musculoskeletal disorders, focusing on restoring mobility and independence. OTs address mental health concerns, too, including PTSD and traumatic brain injuries, leveraging therapeutic strategies to improve coping skills and daily function.

Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Aid Organizations

OTs contribute to disaster relief and humanitarian aid organizations, helping individuals and communities recover from crises. Their expertise in rehabilitation, mental health support and community reintegration is invaluable during disaster preparedness, emergency response, recovery and development phases. OTs assist in restoring daily routines, adapting environments and providing psychosocial support to promote resilience among affected populations.

Police and Fire Departments

OTs support police and fire departments by addressing the physical and mental demands of first responders. They help manage stress and trauma exposure while providing injury prevention strategies through ergonomic assessments and training. OTs also assist with rehabilitation for work-related injuries, ensuring officers and firefighters maintain strength and mobility. Their work boosts resilience, reduces injury risk and supports long-term career sustainability in these high-risk professions.

Space and Aviation Programs

OTs contribute to space and aviation programs by enhancing human performance and safety. In space exploration, OTs develop countermeasures against the effects of prolonged weightlessness in order to help astronauts maintain physical function during missions. In aviation, they collaborate on ergonomic designs and implement strategies to mitigate fatigue and stress among pilots and crew, thus promoting overall well-being and operational efficiency.

Technology and Innovation Labs

OTs collaborate in technology and innovation labs, contributing their expertise to the development of adaptive devices and therapeutic tools. They work alongside designers and engineers to create solutions like assistive technologies and virtual reality rehabilitation programs — elevating patient care and expanding OT career paths.

How to Choose the Right OT Workplace for You

When exploring OT career paths, consider your interests, preferred work environment and the populations you want to serve. Researching job opportunities and shadowing professionals can help you determine the best fit for your expertise and career goals.

For instance, hospitals and rehabilitation centers focus on recovery, while schools emphasize special education and developmental support. Emerging fields like corporate wellness or disaster relief require adaptable skills.

The Importance of Building a Diverse Occupational Therapy Career

A versatile occupational therapy career helps OTs build a broad skill set, adapt to different patient populations and explore unique opportunities. Understanding where OTs work can help enhance your professional growth and career flexibility. Breaking into emerging fields like therapy for veterans or corporate wellness opens new pathways, in turn keeping the profession dynamic and rewarding.

Forge Your Own Path Toward a Rewarding Career in OT

From hospitals and schools to unexpected settings like corporate wellness programs and space research, a career in occupational therapy offers diverse job opportunities. If you're seeking to expand your impact, the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program at Husson University can help you build the skills needed for a rewarding occupational therapy career. Request information to learn more today!