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Looking for more than just jobs? These guides are here to give you tips, advice, and insigths to help you make the most of your occupational therapy career.
With over 20 years in the healthcare recruitment market, we have supported Occupational Therapists across the UK in securing high-quality locum and permanent roles nationwide.
What is the Average Occupational Therapy Salary in the UK?
Following the government announcement on 12 February 2026, NHS salaries received a 3.3% consolidated uplift for the 2026/27 financial year. The following Agenda for Change (AfC) framework pay scales represent the confirmed rates for England effective from 1 April 2026:
| NHS Banding | Experience Level | 2026/27 Annual Salary |
| Band 5 | Entry Level / Newly Qualified | £32,073 — £39,043 |
| Band 6 | Specialist Occupational Therapist | £39,959 — £48,117 |
| Band 7 | Highly Specialist / Team Lead | £49,387 — £56,515 |
| Band 8a | Principal / Advanced Practitioner | £57,528 — £64,750 |
| Band 8b | Lead Occupational Therapist | £66,582 — £77,368 |
Note: Roles in Inner London include a High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS), with a minimum additional payment of £5,609 and a ceiling of £8,442 per annum.
For clinicians seeking increased earning potential and flexibility, locum Occupational Therapy jobs offer competitive hourly rates that often exceed equivalent permanent salaries, particularly in high-demand community and acute settings.
Demand for locum Occupational Therapists remains high across NHS trusts, making agency work an attractive option for clinicians seeking flexibility, rapid placements and competitive rates.
Occupational Therapy Jobs and Specialisms
Your World recruits across all major Occupational Therapy disciplines within the wider Allied Health Professions, supporting your professional development through diverse placement options.
Functional Rehabilitation Occupational Therapy Jobs
Functional Rehabilitation OTs support patients in regaining independence through ADL (Activities of Daily Living) retraining.
Service Context: These roles are pivotal in Virtual Ward coordination and safe discharge pathways, reducing hospital length-of-stay through community-based recovery.
Typical Placements: Orthopaedic rehab, falls prevention, and Integrated Care Board (ICB) commissioned community discharge support.
Browse current Functional Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist jobs.
Paediatric Occupational Therapy Jobs
Paediatric OTs work across schools and community centres, following the SEND Code of Practice to improve educational and functional outcomes.
Key Focus: Providing clinical evidence for Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) assessments and neurodevelopmental pathway support.
Typical Placements: Sensory integration services and school-based therapy within ICB frameworks.
View available Paediatric Occupational Therapist jobs.
Neurological Rehabilitation Occupational Therapy Jobs
Neurological OTs support patients with complex brain and spinal conditions, delivering structured programmes that improve independence and long-term quality of life.
Governance: Senior roles involve evidence-gathering for the CQC Single Assessment Framework, focusing on outcomes that demonstrate effective and responsive care.
Specialisms: Stroke recovery pathways, traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation, and neurodegenerative condition management.
Explore current Neurological Occupational Therapist jobs.
Community Occupational Therapy Jobs
Community Occupational Therapists play a key role in discharge planning, home assessments and supporting patients to remain independent outside hospital settings. These roles are often aligned with Integrated Care Board community services and rapid response teams.
Browse current Community Occupational Therapist jobs.
Acute Occupational Therapy Jobs
Acute Occupational Therapists work within hospital environments, supporting patients through early assessment, rehabilitation planning and safe discharge from acute wards. These roles are commonly available across medical, surgical and specialist units.
Explore available Acute Occupational Therapist jobs.
Why Choose Your World for Occupational Therapy Jobs?
As a preferred supplier to the NHS with more than 20 years of experience, we provide a supportive and empowering recruitment journey.
Exclusive Access: Nationwide permanent and locum OT roles across acute and community settings.
Specialist Consultants: Dedicated OT experts who understand banding, local ICB demands, and clinical specialisms.
Fast-Track Compliance: Efficient onboarding and guidance through HCPC registration requirements.
Your Loyalty Scheme: We reward your commitment through a unique loyalty programme that offers additional benefits to our long-term clinical partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I qualify as an Occupational Therapist in the UK?
To practise as an Occupational Therapist in the UK, you must complete an HCPC accredited degree in Occupational Therapy and maintain active registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. Registration must be renewed every two years to ensure you continue to meet national standards for conduct, performance and ethics. Without active HCPC registration, you cannot legally work as an Occupational Therapist in the UK.
