Ranking table
OT settings ranked by overall career fit
Official data is kept separate from The OT Index scoring and interpretation so readers can see what is measured and what is judgment.
| Rank | Option | Score | Career-fit score | Strongest signal | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Home healthcare services | 92 | High wage plus high autonomy | Best blend of pay and independence | Experienced clinicians who can manage risk, routing, and independent visits. | The job is much less attractive if unpaid travel time is high. |
| 2 | Hospitals | 89 | Strong wage plus broad skill growth | Best early-career clinical platform | OTs who want medical complexity, fast learning, and strong resume portability. | Weekend rotations and acute discharge demands are real tradeoffs. |
| 3 | Therapy offices | 84 | Specialty upside | Best path for focused clinical identity | OTs pursuing hands, pediatrics, neuro, driving rehab, or private practice. | Compensation depends heavily on specialty depth and payer mix. |
| 4 | Educational services | 80 | Schedule quality | Best calendar fit | OTs who value school-year rhythm, pediatrics, and team-based planning. | Lower median wage and high caseloads can offset schedule benefits. |
| 5 | Nursing care facilities | 78 | Highest published wage | Best raw pay signal | Clinicians prioritizing compensation and high-frequency rehab volume. | Productivity pressure and documentation load reduce fit for many clinicians. |