A woman who earns $180,000 a year as an occupational therapist has revealed there’s currently a shortage of workers and that the industry is crying out for more staff.
The healthcare professional, who was interviewed on the street by job app Getahead, said she previously worked in a bar before going to university at the age of 30.
She opened up her occupational therapy business one day after leaving her ex-husband.
‘My son has autism, he was seeing an OT [occupational therapist] when he was a child and I was like ‘that looks easy I can do that’,’ the woman explained.
The job involves helping people living with disabilities or mental health issues participate in everyday activities such as professional life or schooling.
The woman said in her specific role, she works with people who have been incarcerated.
‘I specialise in mental health and forensics,’ she said.
‘I go into the prisons … I work with a lot of schizophrenics [and] murderers.’
The healthcare professional says she earns $180,000 a year as an occupational therapist
She added: ‘At the moment, we cannot get enough occupational therapists.
‘If you want to help people, don’t be a nurse, don’t be a physiotherapist, be an occupational therapist’.
The interview has since gone viral and sparked a flood of interest in the profession.
‘Be an occupational therapist! best career ever,’ one viewer wrote.
‘Started my occupational therapy degree this year at 30!’ a second wrote.
‘I can see my future! I’m 30 heading back to uni next year to study OT’ a third added.
But some who work in the industry, questioned the woman’s eyewatering salary.
‘I’m an OT. Nothing about the job is easy and a $180k salary is unheard of … most jobs will offer a starting of $70-$80k and [a] maximum of about $120k-$130k,’ one wrote.
Another said: ‘Is this Australia? I am a senior OT [and] for all l know, OTs earn between $80,000 – $120,000.’
‘As an OT, this is a very different career trajectory to what’s typical. I’m at a senior level and I’ll never see close to $180k in my life,’ a third added.
