How to Find Top Occupational Therapy Jobs in Texas

Whether you're looking to relocate or you're a Texas native ready for a change, the Lone Star State offers exceptional opportunities for occupational therapists. But here's what most job boards won't tell you: the best OT positions in Texas aren't always the traditional ones.

If you're tired of administrative burden, insurance headaches, inconsistent caseloads, or lack of autonomy, there's a better way to practice occupational therapy in Texas—one that gives you flexibility, competitive pay, and the freedom to focus on what you do best: helping children thrive.

This guide covers the Texas OT job market, what makes it attractive, and how Coral Care is creating a new model for pediatric occupational therapists who want to build sustainable, fulfilling practices without the burnout.

Key Takeaways

• Texas has high demand for occupational therapists, with projected national job growth of nearly 11% over the next decade, resulting in approximately 16,800 job openings (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• Diverse OT opportunities exist across hospitals, schools, clinics, and private practice models
• Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits contribute to job satisfaction and career security
• Coral Care is actively onboarding providers in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, with established teams and families ready for care in each city

Why Texas is a Prime Location for Occupational Therapy Jobs

Texas isn't just growing—it's booming. And for occupational therapists, that means opportunity.

The labor market for OTs in Texas is projected to grow significantly, with national employment increasing 11% over the next decade. This growth translates to approximately 16,800 job openings—nearly double the national average according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What makes Texas particularly attractive:

Strong demand across settings: Hospitals, schools, clinics, and private practices all need qualified OTs

Economic stability: Texas's robust economy and lower cost of living (compared to many other states) means your salary goes further

Diverse geography and culture: From Austin's vibrant scene to Houston's medical center to San Antonio's history, Texas offers lifestyle variety

No state income tax: More of your paycheck stays in your pocket

Growing pediatric population: Texas families are increasingly seeking developmental support for their children, creating consistent demand for pediatric OTs

But here's the challenge many OTs face: traditional employment models often come with significant trade-offs. High caseloads, administrative burden, productivity pressure, limited autonomy, and burnout from system constraints can diminish job satisfaction—even in a great market like Texas.

This is where a different model becomes appealing.

The Coral Care Model: Private Practice Without the Business Burden

Coral Care is now onboarding occupational therapists in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, offering an alternative to traditional employment: build your own flexible practice with full operational support.

We already have large teams of providers in each city and families ready for care—meaning you can start seeing patients quickly once credentialed.

What Makes Coral Care Different

You're not an employee—you're an independent clinician. This means:

Set your own schedule: Choose your days, hours, and caseload size. Work part-time or full-time based on your life needs.

Define your service area: Decide how far you're willing to travel. Work in your own neighborhood if you prefer.

Accept or decline cases: No penalties for saying no. You control your caseload.

Focus purely on clinical work: No insurance denials to fight, no billing nightmares, no marketing needed.

Coral Care Handles the Business Side

Credentialing with major payers: We manage the complex, time-consuming credentialing process

Insurance verification and billing: From verification to claims submission, we handle it all

Claims management: You get paid for every session, every time—regardless of when insurance pays out

Patient matching and scheduling: We connect you with families who need your expertise

Scheduling infrastructure: Tools that make managing your calendar simple

Ongoing support: You're independent, not isolated. We're here when you need us.

Competitive Compensation

Coral Care offers competitive rates for both evaluations and recurring sessions, with the key advantage being reliable payment—you get paid for every session, every time, regardless of when or if insurance pays out

This model is especially attractive for OTs who:

• Want to leave burnout-inducing settings (schools, Early Intervention, high-productivity clinics)
• Need flexibility around family or other commitments
• Want to build a private practice without going fully solo
• Value clinical autonomy over being told how many patients to see
• Are tired of administrative tasks taking time away from patient care

Ready to learn more about joining Coral Care in Texas? Apply here

Types of Occupational Therapy Jobs Available in Texas

Understanding the full landscape of OT employment in Texas helps you make informed career decisions.

Traditional Employment Settings

Hospitals and Medical Centers

• Acute care, inpatient rehab, outpatient clinics
• Structured schedules, comprehensive benefits
• Can involve high productivity demands

Schools and Early Intervention

• Serving children with IEPs or IFSP plans
• Stable schedules aligned with school year
• Often involves high caseloads and administrative paperwork

Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)

• Often higher pay than other settings
• Can be physically and emotionally demanding
• Documentation burden can be significant

Outpatient Clinics

• Variety of patient populations
• Productivity expectations vary by organization
• Administrative tasks managed by clinic

Alternative Practice Models

Home Health

• Travel to patients' homes
• Flexible scheduling
• Requires self-management and independence

Private Practice (Traditional Solo Model)

• Complete autonomy
• Requires managing all business operations: credentialing, billing, marketing, scheduling
• High risk, high reward if successful

Private Practice (Supported Model - Coral Care)

• Clinical autonomy without business burden
• Consistent patient flow without marketing
• Insurance handled completely
• Flexibility of private practice with support of a system

Top Cities in Texas for Occupational Therapy Jobs

Austin

Known for its vibrant cultural scene, growing tech industry, and "Keep Austin Weird" ethos, Austin attracts young professionals seeking work-life balance.

Major employers: St. David's Healthcare Partnership, Dell Children's Medical Center

Why OTs love Austin: Outdoor recreation, live music, diverse food scene, no shortage of families seeking developmental support for children

Coral Care in Austin: We're launching in Austin first, creating opportunities for pediatric OTs to build flexible practices serving local families.

Dallas

A diverse, booming metropolitan area with extensive healthcare infrastructure.

Major employers: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Children's Health, Baylor Scott & White

Why OTs choose Dallas: Strong job market, diverse neighborhoods, major airport for travel, growing suburbs full of families

Houston

Home to the Texas Medical Center—the largest medical complex in the world—Houston offers unparalleled opportunities in healthcare.

Major employers: Texas Children's Hospital, Memorial Hermann, MD Anderson

Why OTs thrive in Houston: Endless clinical opportunities, diverse population, no shortage of specialized positions

San Antonio

Rich history, strong military presence (several bases nearby), and the iconic River Walk make San Antonio unique.

Major employers: South Texas Medical Center, University Health System

Why OTs appreciate San Antonio: Lower cost of living than other major Texas cities, family-friendly atmosphere, growing pediatric therapy needs

Coral Care expansion: After Austin, we're evaluating Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio for expansion based on provider and family demand.

How to Find Occupational Therapy Jobs in Texas

Traditional Job Search Strategies

Online job boards:

• Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor
• OT-specific boards like AOTA Career Center, Therapy Source
• Filter by location, setting, experience level

Hospital and clinic websites:

• Major employers post openings directly
• Check regularly for new positions

Networking:

• Join Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA)
• Attend conferences and continuing education events
• Connect with local OT professionals on LinkedIn

University career services:

• If you're a recent grad, leverage your school's placement resources
• Many Texas universities have strong OT programs with employer connections

Recruiters:

• Healthcare recruiters specialize in placing OTs
• Can provide market insights and negotiate on your behalf
• Be cautious of contracts and exclusivity agreements

The Coral Care Approach: A Different Path

Rather than endlessly searching job boards and interviewing with organizations that may not align with your values, consider whether building a supported private practice makes sense for your career goals.

The Coral Care application process is straightforward:

1. Submit your application: Share your credentials, experience, and what you're looking for in your practice
2. Connect with our team: We'll discuss how Coral Care works, answer questions, and ensure it's a mutual fit
3. Onboarding and credentialing: We handle credentialing with major payers while you complete onboarding
4. Start seeing patients: Once credentialed, we match you with families in your service area
5. Build your practice: Take on as many or as few cases as you want, adjusting as your life evolves

Unlike traditional job hunting, there's no:

• Waiting for one perfect job posting
• Competing with dozens of other candidates
• Settling for a position that's "good enough"
• Committing to full-time before knowing if you'll like it

You can start with Coral Care part-time while maintaining other employment, or dive in full-time from day one. The model adapts to you.

Interested in joining Coral Care? Learn more about our provider opportunities

Qualifications and Certifications Required in Texas

To practice occupational therapy in Texas, you must meet state licensing requirements.

For Occupational Therapists (OT)

Education:

• Master's or Doctorate degree from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy program

Clinical experience:

• At least six months of supervised fieldwork experience

Examination:

• Pass the National Board of Certification for Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam

Additional requirements:

• Pass criminal background check
• Pass Texas Jurisprudence Examination
• Licensed by the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners

Application:

• Submit complete application (by examination or endorsement) with required fees
• Can apply online or via paper application

For Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA)

Education:

• Associate's degree or higher from an ACOTE-accredited program

Clinical experience:

• At least two months of supervised experience

Other requirements:

• Same examination and licensing requirements as OTs

Continuing Education Requirements

Texas requires 24 hours of continuing education during each renewal period for both OTs and OTAs.

Acceptable CE activities:

• Workshops and conferences
• NBCOT Navigator activities
• Online courses
• Academic coursework

Mandatory course:

• Human trafficking course approved by Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Record-keeping:

• Maintain accurate records of all CE activities for potential audits

Good news for Coral Care providers: We keep you informed about CE opportunities and help you stay on track with licensure requirements.

Salary Expectations and Benefits in Texas

Salary Overview

Average OT salary in Texas (2023): Approximately $80,800 annually

National average: Around $96,790 per year

New graduate median salary: About $65,000 annually

Higher-paying settings:

• Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs)
• Home health
• Private practice (when successfully established)

Competitive Compensation

Coral Care offers competitive rates for both evaluations and recurring sessions, with the key advantage being reliable payment—you get paid for every session, every time, regardless of when or if insurance pays out.

Key advantages:

• Paid for every session—no productivity requirements or unpaid time
• No waiting for insurance reimbursement or fighting denials
• Set your own pace—want to work less this month? Adjust your availability
• Build up gradually or maintain sustainable caseload long-term
• Transparent compensation structure discussed during the application process

Benefits Beyond Salary

Traditional employment typically includes:

• Health insurance
• Retirement contributions (401k matching)
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Continuing education allowances
• Malpractice insurance

As an independent clinician with Coral Care:

• Flexibility to choose your own benefits: Purchase insurance through marketplace, spouse's plan, or private plans
• Tax advantages: Potential deductions for business expenses (mileage, supplies, home office)
• No PTO but complete schedule control: Take time off whenever you want without requesting approval
• Mileage and travel reimbursement: Support for in-home sessions

Best fit for:

• OTs who don't need employer-sponsored health insurance (covered by spouse, VA benefits, ACA marketplace)
• Those who value flexibility over traditional benefits structure
• People who can manage their own retirement savings (IRA, solo 401k)
• Clinicians who want to supplement other income streams

Work-Life Balance for Occupational Therapists in Texas

One of the biggest reasons OTs experience burnout isn't the clinical work—it's everything else. The documentation burden, the productivity pressure, the lack of control over your schedule, the frustration of insurance denials affecting your pay.

Traditional Settings: The Reality

Schools and Early Intervention:

• High caseloads (sometimes 60+ kids)
• Extensive paperwork and IEP meetings
• Limited clinical autonomy
• Emotional exhaustion from system constraints

Hospital and SNF settings:

• Productivity standards (sometimes 90%+ billable time expected)
• High patient loads
• Documentation taking hours beyond your shift
• Physical and emotional demands

Outpatient clinics:

• Back-to-back scheduling
• Pressure to keep slots filled
• Limited say in your caseload or schedule
• Administrative tasks eating into personal time

The Coral Care Difference: Designed for Balance

You control your schedule:

• Want Fridays off? Done.
• Need to reduce hours during a busy family season? Adjust your availability.
• Want to work just mornings so you can pick up kids from school? Build your practice that way.

You control your caseload:

• Not interested in a particular case? Decline it.
• Want to focus on a specific age range or diagnosis? We can match accordingly.
• Need to cap your caseload at a comfortable number? You set the limit.

Reduce administrative burden:

• No insurance battles—we handle it all
• No marketing—we bring families to you
• Simplified documentation within your workflow
• Support team available when you need help

Clinical autonomy:

• You determine treatment approach
• You set goals with families
• You decide session frequency and duration
• No one telling you to see more patients or discharge prematurely

This model attracts experienced OTs who've been in the field for years and want to stay in the profession they love without burning out. It also appeals to newer graduates who want to build strong clinical skills without the productivity pressure that compromises quality care.

Continuing Education and Professional Development

Maintaining your Texas OT license requires ongoing continuing education—and it's also essential for staying current with best practices.

Texas requirements:

• 24 hours of CE every renewal period
• Activities include workshops, conferences, online courses, NBCOT Navigator activities
• Mandatory human trafficking course

Resources for CE in Texas:

• Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA) offers courses and networking
• AOTA provides extensive online CE library
• Local universities and healthcare systems host workshops
• MedBridge, AOTA, and other platforms offer online options

As a Coral Care provider:

• You have time and flexibility to pursue CE that genuinely interests you
• No employer dictating which trainings you must attend
• Invest in specializations you're passionate about (sensory integration, feeding, handwriting, etc.)
• Apply new skills immediately with your caseload

Professional development isn't just about checking boxes—it's about growing as a clinician. When you have autonomy over your practice, you have the freedom to specialize in ways that genuinely excite you.

Ready to Build Your OT Practice in Texas?

The traditional occupational therapy job market in Texas is strong—there's no question about that. But "strong job market" doesn't automatically mean fulfilling career.

If you're reading this and feeling:

• Burned out from high productivity demands
• Frustrated by lack of autonomy in your current role
• Exhausted by administrative tasks that take time away from patients
• Interested in private practice but overwhelmed by the business side
• Ready for a change but unsure where to start

Coral Care might be exactly what you're looking for.

We're building something different in Texas: a model that respects clinicians as independent professionals while providing the infrastructure and support that makes sustainable practice possible.

What Happens Next?

1. Sign up on our provider siteFill out the form on our provider page with your basic information and credentials. It takes just a few minutes.

Sign up here

2. Schedule a call with our teamOnce you've signed up, you'll be able to schedule a conversation with a member of our team. We'll answer your questions, explain how Coral Care works in detail, and discuss whether it's a mutual fit.

3. Get credentialed and start practicingIf we're aligned, we'll begin the credentialing process with major payers while you complete onboarding. Once everything is in place, we'll match you with families in your service area and you can begin building your practice.

Still Exploring Traditional Employment?

That's completely fine. Coral Care isn't the right fit for everyone, and traditional employment offers stability and benefits that work for many OTs.

As you explore opportunities, consider:

• What do you value most in your career? (Flexibility, stability, benefits, autonomy, income potential)
• What caused burnout or dissatisfaction in past roles?
• What would your ideal work week look like?
• How important is clinical autonomy to you?
• Do you need employer-sponsored benefits, or do you have other coverage options?

Understanding your priorities will help you find the right opportunity—whether that's with Coral Care, a hospital system, a school district, or another setting entirely.

Top Employers for Occupational Therapists in Texas

If you're exploring traditional employment alongside considering Coral Care, here are some of the major OT employers in Texas:

Major hospital systems:

• Texas Children's Hospital (Houston)
• Dell Children's Medical Center (Austin)
• Children's Health (Dallas)
• University Health System (San Antonio)
• Baylor Scott & White Health (multiple locations)
• Memorial Hermann (Houston)
• St. David's Healthcare Partnership (Austin)

School districts:

• Austin ISD, Dallas ISD, Houston ISD all employ school-based OTs
• Smaller suburban districts also have ongoing needs

Private clinics and therapy groups:

• Numerous private practices throughout Texas
• Therapy chains like Therapy Source, Pediatric Therapy Center

Home health agencies:

• Multiple agencies throughout Texas providing pediatric and adult home health OT

Early Intervention programs:

• Each region of Texas has EI contractors serving children birth to three

Each of these settings offers something different. The key is finding what aligns with your career goals and lifestyle needs.

The Bottom Line: Texas Offers Opportunity—You Choose How to Seize It

The occupational therapy job market in Texas is strong, growing, and full of possibility. Whether you choose traditional employment with a major hospital system, a school district position, or the flexibility of building a supported private practice with Coral Care, Texas provides the foundation for a fulfilling career.

What matters most is finding a model that:

• Aligns with your values and priorities
• Allows you to practice the way you want to practice
• Supports your financial goals
• Fits your lifestyle and family needs
• Enables sustainable, long-term career satisfaction

For many occupational therapists, Coral Care represents a better path forward—one that removes the barriers that lead to burnout while preserving everything they love about being an OT.

Ready to explore whether Coral Care is right for you?

Learn about joining Coral Care in Texas

Apply now

Questions? Email us: [provider email for Coral Care]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Coral Care hiring in all of Texas? We're actively onboarding providers in Austin, Dallas, and Houston right now, with established teams and families ready for care in each city. If you're in another Texas market and interested in joining us, apply and let us know your location—we're always evaluating expansion opportunities.

Do I need to commit to full-time? Not at all. Many Coral Care providers start part-time and scale up, or maintain part-time indefinitely. You set your availability based on your life.

What if I've never done private practice before? That's completely fine. Most Coral Care providers come from traditional settings. We provide onboarding, support, and guidance as you build your practice.

How long does credentialing take?Typically 21-60 days, though this varies by payer. We manage the entire process and keep you updated throughout.

Can I choose which families I work with? Yes. We match you with families based on your preferences, and you can decline any case for any reason.

What ages and diagnoses does Coral Care serve? We focus on pediatric developmental therapy—typically children from infancy through school age with a variety of developmental needs including fine motor delays, sensory processing challenges, developmental delays, and more.

Do I need my own liability insurance?Yes, as an independent clinician, you'll need your own professional liability insurance. We can provide recommendations for affordable coverage.

Coral Care is a national pediatric developmental therapy platform connecting families to licensed, independent occupational, speech, and physical therapists who provide in-home care. We're expanding across Texas to make quality therapy more accessible for families and create better practice opportunities for clinicians.

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