Occupational Therapy Salary

Is Your Occupational Therapy Salary In Line With the Norm?

If you’ve just qualified as an occupational therapist, and are job hunting, chances are you have no idea what the average occupational therapy salary is – let alone whether you’re being offered a fair package by prospective employers. The good news is that there is information out there.

Look Online
One of the best ways to find out if your occupational therapy salary offer is fair, in our information age, is to look online. There are countless sites that publish salary survey data out there, and although it will give you an average, it’s a great way to determine what you should be earning. This is even useful when you are further along in your career, and when review time comes around – as you can compare other occupational therapy salary data to your package. That’s a mighty strong bargaining tool to have in your arsenal!

Call Employment Agencies
Nearly every city and town out there will have at least one employment agency. Some of those may even specialize in the medical field. They’re a great source of occupational therapy salary information. Even more so because often, their fee is calculated based on a percentage of the salary package they secure for you. That means they will have unbiased and accurate information on what you can expect.

Speak to Industry Bodies
Organizations like AOTA or the American Occupational Therapists Association will be able to give you accurate information on the average occupational therapy salary in your area and at your skill and experience level. Visit their website, or contact a branch in your area to find out more.

Factors That Influence Your Occupational Therapist Salary Expectations
Of course, even though there are plenty of sources of occupational therapist salary information out there, there are a number of factors that will influence what your earnings will be. These may include:

• Your own level of skill and experience.
• Your grades at college – the better you did, the more in demand you are likely to be.
• The area you plan to work in. Jobs in large cities will tend to pay more than those in smaller towns – however, cost of living factors may also be of interest.
• The type of establishment you will work for. Large hospitals will pay more in some cases than private practices, while salaries for occupational therapists who work for NGO’s and similar organizations may be lower than the norm.

Of course, when you chose to become an occupational therapist, salary was probably not your only criteria. It is a factor in any career however, and it’s worth doing your homework to ensure that you are being offered a fair deal.
Never forget, however, that any experience you can gain is also invaluable, and it’s worth keeping your expectations realistic, in order to secure a job in what is, and will for a while remain, a tough job market. Luckily, occupational therapy is a highly specialized field, and you’re not likely to have too much competition for that plum job!