Occupational Therapists

Occupational Therapists score 30 out of 100, which is moderate exposure to AI. That ranks #521 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 17 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 2 on its own and 6 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 3 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

30/ 100

Moderate

Rank: #521of 923 jobs
US workers: 162,450BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $100,330a year
In real AI use: 3 of 17tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 2 (12%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 6 (35%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 9 (53%)

Complete and maintain necessary records.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Design and create, or requisition, special supplies and equipment, such as splints, braces, and computer-aided adaptive equipment.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Recommend changes in patients' work or living environments, consistent with their needs and capabilities.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Help clients improve decision making, abstract reasoning, memory, sequencing, coordination, and perceptual skills, using computer programs.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Conduct research in occupational therapy.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Advise on health risks in the workplace or on health-related transition to retirement.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate those impaired because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Plan and implement programs and social activities to help patients learn work or school skills and adjust to handicaps.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental or physical capabilities.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Train caregivers in providing for the needs of a patient during and after therapy.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Lay out materials such as puzzles, scissors and eating utensils for use in therapy, and clean and repair these tools after therapy sessions.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Consult with rehabilitation team to select activity programs or coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Develop and participate in health promotion programs, group activities, or discussions to promote client health, facilitate social adjustment, alleviate stress, and prevent physical or mental disability.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Provide training and supervision in therapy techniques and objectives for students or nurses and other medical staff.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Provide patients with assistance in locating or holding jobs.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use

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Related occupations that score at least 10 points lower.

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Healthcare Practitioners and Technical occupations close to this one.

Questions about occupational therapists and AI

Will AI replace occupational therapists?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Occupational Therapists score 30 out of 100 (moderate exposure), #521 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 8 of the job's 17 tasks, 2 of them on its own, while 9 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which occupational therapists tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Complete and maintain necessary records"; "Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress".

Which occupational therapists tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate those impaired because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems"; "Plan and implement programs and social activities to help patients learn work or school skills and adjust to handicaps"; "Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental or physical capabilities".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 3 of the 17 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as occupational therapists, and what do they earn?

About 162,450 people in the US, with median pay of $100,330 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

Occupational Therapists

Task by task

Similar jobs, lower exposure

Other jobs in this field

Questions about occupational therapists and AI

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