OT vs. PT vs. SLP: Which Career Fits You Best?

Understanding these differences can help you determine which path best aligns with your interests, strengths and goals.

What Does an Occupational Therapist (OT) Do?

Occupational therapy is a dynamic, client-centered profession focused on helping people fully participate in the activities that matter to them. Occupational therapists help people develop, recover or maintain skills needed for everyday living, learning and working by addressing physical, cognitive, emotional and environmental challenges.

Occupational therapists work with people of all ages in settings such as hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics and homes. Their guiding question is simple but powerful: what matters to you?

Typical occupational therapy responsibilities include:

• Assessing a person’s ability to perform meaningful daily activities
• Developing adaptive strategies for tasks such as dressing, cooking, working or learning
• Modifying environments or recommending tools and technologies to support independence

To become an OT, students complete a master’s degree in occupational therapy, followed by national certification and state licensure. OT may be a good fit if you enjoy creative problem-solving and helping people navigate everyday challenges.

What Does a Physical Therapist (PT) Do?

Physical therapy focuses on movement, mobility and physical health. PTs help people of all ages move safely, recover from injury, reduce pain, improve strength and physical performance, address chronic conditions and prevent future physical health challenges.

You’ll find PTs working in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, sports and wellness facilities and community-based settings.

Common physical therapy responsibilities include:

• Evaluating movement, strength, balance and functional limitations
• Designing and monitoring personalized rehabilitation and exercise programs
• Educating patients on movement strategies, injury prevention and lifelong wellness

Physical therapists earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree and must be licensed to practice. DPT programs emphasize clinical decision-making, hands-on learning and real-world patient care.

What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) Do?

Speech-language pathology is grounded in one-on-one, personalized care for all ages. The profession centers on communication, cognition and safe swallowing.

Specifically, SLPs work with children and adults who experience speech, language, voice, cognitive or swallowing disorders due to developmental differences, illness, injury or neurological conditions. They practice in public schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics and community-based environments.

Common speech-language pathology responsibilities include:

• Helping clients improve speech, language and swallowing abilities
• Developing individualized treatment plans
• Working with families, educators and health care teams
• Measuring progress and adjusting therapy to improve daily communication and quality of life

Becoming an SLP requires a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, a supervised clinical fellowship and licensure. Clinical learning begins early, allowing students to gain experience in medical and educational settings.

OT vs. PT vs. SLP: How Are They Different?

While there are similarities, their approaches differ:

• Occupational Therapy (OT): Daily life skills, independence and adaptation
• Physical Therapy (PT): Movement, strength and mobility
• Speech-Language Pathology (SLP): Communication, language and swallowing

Degree requirements also vary. OT and SLP require a master’s degree, while PT requires a doctorate.

Understanding these differences can help you choose the path that best fits how you want to work with patients and the care you want to provide.

Which Career Path Is Right for You?

The path you choose reflects your unique goals, time commitment and impact you want to make on others’ lives. Reaching out to professionals already in the field, volunteering in health care settings and speaking with faculty or admissions advisers can help you to map out your next steps.

Many factors go into determining what job suits you best, but these basic questions could help you get started:

• Do you enjoy movement-based, hands-on work? Physical therapy.
• Are you interested in communication, language and cognition? Speech-language pathology.
• Do you like helping people adapt daily tasks through creative strategies? Occupational therapy.

What is the earning potential for OTs, PTs and SLPs?

All three professions are expected to see strong job growth over the next several years, about 11% for PTs, 14% for OTs and 15% for SLPs. Annual salaries are comparable, averaging around $98,000 for OTs, $101,000 for PTs and about $95,400 for SLPs.

Preparing for Graduate School in OT, PT or SLP

Graduate programs in OT, PT and SLP typically require certain courses, observation and working in clinical settings and solid academic preparation. Getting direct experience, connecting with mentors and learning programs’ expectations early can make the application process smoother.

Taking the Next Step

Occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology all offer meaningful ways to help others. At Sacred Heart University, aspiring OTs, PTs and SLPs gain the tools and skills they need through academic and clinical experiences, guest lectures, simulations and immersion opportunities.

To learn more about SHU’s health care programs, schedule a visit, reach out to graduate admissions at 203-365-7619 or email gradstudies@sacredheart.edu.