Travel Occupational Therapist Salary Guide
- Requirements
- Travel Occupational Therapist Salary Insights
- Top Travel Occupational Therapist Jobs
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- Travel Occupational Therapist FAQs
Occupational therapists (OTs) can look forward to a positive job outlook and lucrative salaries. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects demand for OTs to grow by 14% between 2021 and 2031. While this expectation suggests plentiful opportunities for skilled OTs in the coming years, you should still ensure your clinical skills are up to par and your compensation is competitive compared to similar OT jobs. This guide provides detailed occupational therapist salary information to help maximize your earnings as you advance your career and positively impact your patients’ lives.
Becoming an Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists are allied health professionals with graduate-level education and training. You must earn national board certification and a license in the state where you want to work. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico require OTs to be licensed before providing occupational therapy services. Each state also has varying scopes of practice for OTs.
To become an OT, you must:
Complete an accredited program in occupational therapy and earn a master’s degree or Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD). An OTD is a clinical doctorate and differs from a research-based Ph.D.
Pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam to earn your Occupational Therapist Registered certification.
Apply for a state license to practice. Some states require you to pass an additional exam to ensure you understand local regulations.
Average Travel Occupational Therapist Salary
$2,027/week
This is equal to the therapy US average
Last updated on May 7, 2024. Based on 4,645 active jobs on Vivian.com in the last 7 days.
Salaries for Travel Occupational Therapist compared to Therapist National Averages
$2,027/week
This is equal to the therapy US average
$2,020/week
United States
Where do Travel Occupational Therapists get paid the most?
| State | Average Weekly Salary | Max Weekly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $2,557 | $2,790 |
| Alaska | $2,504 | $3,360 |
| Connecticut | $2,355 | $2,665 |
| Nebraska | $2,338 | $2,922 |
| New Hampshire | $2,317 | $2,721 |
| Mississippi | $2,289 | $2,582 |
| Kentucky | $2,160 | $2,262 |
| California | $2,150 | $3,562 |
| Arizona | $2,136 | $2,684 |
| West Virginia | $2,124 | $2,562 |
| Kansas | $2,098 | $2,780 |
| South Dakota | $2,083 | $2,892 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,070 | $2,302 |
| North Dakota | $2,061 | $2,702 |
| Wyoming | $2,060 | $2,329 |
| Illinois | $2,040 | $2,636 |
| Colorado | $2,037 | $2,938 |
| Georgia | $2,027 | $2,542 |
| New Mexico | $2,007 | $2,530 |
| Missouri | $2,006 | $3,002 |
What cities pay the most for Travel Occupational Therapists?
| City | Average Weekly Salary | Max Weekly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside, California | $3,378 | $3,538 |
| Juneau, Alaska | $2,827 | $3,360 |
| Bellevue, Washington | $2,732 | $2,794 |
| Castro Valley, California | $2,600 | $2,600 |
| Tulare, California | $2,587 | $2,587 |
| Sacramento, California | $2,583 | $2,583 |
| Hanford, California | $2,578 | $2,600 |
| Alexandria, Minnesota | $2,562 | $2,562 |
| Scottsbluff, Nebraska | $2,559 | $2,922 |
| San Diego, California | $2,533 | $2,533 |
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Travel Occupational Therapist jobs?
| Average Weekly Salary | Max Weekly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Decypher Technologies/VitalStaff | $3,562 | $3,562 |
| Refined Medical Staffing | $3,035 | $3,035 |
| HumanEdge Travel Healthcare | $2,904 | $2,904 |
| DT-Healthcare Staffing | $2,857 | $2,857 |
| Connected Health Care | $2,762 | $3,002 |
| GHR Healthcare - Allied Health & Therapy | $2,762 | $2,762 |
| Trailblazer Staffing Solutions | $2,711 | $2,790 |
| Enterprise Medical Staffing | $2,620 | $2,620 |
| TalentBurst, Inc | $2,600 | $2,600 |
| SGS Consulting | $2,550 | $2,780 |
Last updated on May 7, 2024. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
Travel Occupational Therapist Career Guide
Use our exclusive Career Guides to research the education, qualifications, skills and responsibilities for a variety of healthcare disciplines and specialties employers are hiring now.
Go to the guideTop Travel Occupational Therapist Jobs
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How to Improve Your Occupational Therapist Salary
Work as a Travel OT
Travel OTs can take advantage of the nationwide demand for occupational therapists, generally earning a higher average salary than permanent OTs. Although compensation varies depending on the recruiting agency, most offer a mix of housing stipends, medical insurance, life insurance, 401(k) plans and continuing education. However, you may need to meet certain criteria to qualify for some benefits, such as housing stipends.
To be considered for a travel occupational therapist job, you must hold a license in the state where you want to work. Your NBCOT certification is recognized nationwide, but you must still meet state requirements. Some state boards provide licensure by endorsement if you have a license in another state.
Once the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OT Compact) launches, it should be easier for OT to work across state lines. The OT Compact is a joint initiative of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the NBCOT. Through this interstate agreement, participating states will grant practicing privileges to OTs with licenses in any member state.
According to the AOTA, 22 states have enacted compact legislation thus far, and it expects another 10 to 15 states to introduce legislation in 2023. The OT Compact Commission anticipates opening applications for compact privileges in late 2023 or early 2024 to help fill the demand for OTs in different regions.
Featured Blog Posts
Featured Blog Posts
Travel Occupational Therapist FAQs
What professional certifications can potentially increase my salary as a Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Earning your Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) often increases your salary potential as a occupational therapy assistant or makes you eligible for another position with greater responsibilities, which also might include a bump in wages.
Can having a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) boost my salary as a Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Yes, having a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a occupational therapy assistant.
Where can I learn more about working as a Travel Occupational Therapist?
Take a look at Vivian's Travel Occupational Therapist Career Guide for more information, including required education, responsibilities, pros and cons and more.