What it is

Therapy services workers help patients with injuries or diseases through a variety of treatments, ranging from muscle exercises to playing musical instruments.

Similar to physical therapy jobs, occupational therapists help patients with disorders or disabilities perform everyday tasks, like cooking or using a computer. They, along with occupational therapist assistants and occupational therapist aides, help patients lead independent lives. Other therapy jobs use different types of treatments to help patients.

What it's like

Physical therapy jobs and other therapy services jobs are typically located in clinics, private offices or hospitals. They may also work in schools, rehabilitation centers or nursing homes. Therapy jobs usually require a 40-hour week, but it depends on where you work. For example, a speech therapist at a school may work different hours than a physical therapist assistant in a private office.

What it takes

Therapy services jobs often require working with patients who have limited mobility, so the ability to move a patient and keep a positive attitude is crucial. Therapist jobs require a bachelor’s degree or higher, while therapist assistants and aides require on-the-job training or an associate’s degree.

To learn more about therapy services jobs, check out the job options to the right.

Jobs in this field

• Music Therapist

  Salary range: $31,000 – $53,000 Minimum training:Bachelor's degree; certification exam Job description:Music therapists plan and direct treatment programs using musical activities to help rehabilitate patients with physical or emotional disabilities. More

• Occupational Therapist

  Salary range: $71,968 – $95,576 Minimum training:Master's degree; state-issued license required Job description:Occupational therapists help persons with mental, physical, emotional or developmental impairments improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily life. More

• Occupational Therapist Aide

  Salary range: $23,982 – $36,525 Minimum training:On-the-job training Job description:Occupational therapist aides work with occupational therapists to provide rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical or emotional impairments. More

• Occupational Therapist Assistant

  Salary range: $49,213 – $68,786 Minimum training:Associate's degree; state-issued license required Job description:Occupational therapist assistants work with occupational therapists to provide rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical or emotional impairments. More

• Physical Therapist

  Salary range: $70,242 – $96,387 Minimum training:Master's degree; state-issued license required Job description:Physical therapists help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain and prevent permanent physical disabilities from injury or disease. More

• Physical Therapist Aide

  Salary range: $22,214 – $31,949 Minimum training:High school diploma or equivalent Job description:Physical therapist aides perform preparations for patient therapy visits and clerical tasks. More

• Physical Therapist Assistant

  Salary range: $48,547 – $66,498 Minimum training:Associate's degree; state-issued license required Job description:A physical therapist assistant helps physical therapists develop and carry out treatment plans for patients. More

• Recreational Therapist

  Salary range: $41,641 – $70,283 Minimum training:Bachelor's degree Job description:Recreational therapists provide treatment services and recreation activities to individuals with disabilities or illnesses. More

• Speech Language Pathologist / Speech Therapist

  Salary range: $65,749 – $95,909 Minimum training:Master's degree; state-issued license required Job description:Speech language pathologists and speech therapists diagnose, treat and prevent speech, voice, swallowing and other related disorders. More

• Speech Language Pathology Assistant

  Salary range: $24,310 – $37,080 Minimum training:Associate's degree Job description:Speech language pathology assistants (SLPAs) assist speech language pathologists to treat a variety of speech language disorders in children and adults. More