Lets Talk about Pay in Los Angeles...Please lets be serious here!

I have a BIG Dillema. I'm currently an OTS at a highly ranked, highly respected occupational therapy school.

I love how the program is going and am doing pretty well in it. Heres where my problem begins. I currently live in Los Angeles California and I'm beginning to worry about my salary when I graduate. I'm here for honest help and will partially base my decision of going forward based on what I hear here, so please be honest and REAL.

With my OTD I want to start off by make hourly 40 - 55 dollars; salary around 90k a year start. I'm a male so I think that might either hurt me or help me.

Honestly speaking. Is the pay/salary that I'm asking for in the current market something I will see frequently? Or am I just kidding myself. I dont mind working in Ped's or Hospital setting. Anything will work for me thats desirable. I enjoy OT so I'm not picky as far as that is concerned.

Moreover,I will note I have been looking at job posting in my area and they are hiring from 40-60 dollars an hour starting for new grads but some people are telling me I wont get paid more then 33 dollars an hour starting and I think thats ridiculous. 33 dollars an hour? The time and money I'm dedicating to OT I can work my way up in a company and in a few years and make that much money.

PLEASE HELP ME AND BE HONEST!!

I don't know what they pay in LA, I live in IL and the only way you would make that much is if you were PRN or a traveling therapist. Being a new grad you will probably start lower, and don't go into it only for the money or you will work for bad companies and probably won't learn a whole lot. I am only basing this on IL so I don't know what LA is like,

I highly doubt a new grad will start at $90K salary....even in CA. I mean look at the big picture. If a NEW grad made that much, how much do you think someone with 2-5 years experience is making??????? I hate to break the news but 40-55/ hr is almost unheard of as a new grad unless that is 1099 (no taxes, ins, PTO).

Call a few local therapy companies and them what they are paying out roughly for less-seasoned therapists. Ask your teachers what they think new grads can make. If your employer can hire new grads at that much, then at that rate the company will go belly up.

I had just had an offer to stay with a company and they would give me around $40/hr, but that company was (in my eyes)unethical and is not very patient centered. I declined the offer and make $38/hr at another company. I have about 4 yrs of experience. This was in a rural area where they are desperate for therapists.

OT1407 in Morris, Illinois said: I had just had an offer to stay with a company and they would give me around $40/ hr , but that company was (in my eyes)unethical and is not very patient centered. I declined the offer and make $38/hr at another company. I have about 4 yrs of experience. This was in a rural area where they are desperate for therapists.

how much does a new grad makes in IL?

I think that $90K a year is totally outrageous. Just because you have an OTD doesn't mean you have actual experience with patients. I have been an OT for 12 years, and I've never made more than $70K, and that was working very long hours and no benefits. You need to take into consideration benefits not just an hourly rate. Nowadays, healthcare could cost your employer $300-$400 per month. So take that into consideration along with paid leave. You might be able to make that if you did a lot of PRN and worked every weekend.

Hello,
I have been a COTA for a community hospital in outpatient for 14 years and have gone back to school to get my masters. I graduate in May and my current employer offered me only $4 more to start as an OTR. I specialize in neuro and low vision. Is it unrealistic for me to think they wouldn't start me at a new grad and take into consideration all my years experience and specialty? With my new grad salary I would only be making 58K. I think I am being taken advantage of? What are your thoughts.

Wow, I would say you should be on $8 - $12 more an hour than a COTA. Especially with your experience, which should definitely be taken into consideration. That's my opinion :) That being said, not sure what community hosp pay?

Highly respected and highly ranked OT school doesn't mean ishhh know cares about that once you have graduated !!! All employers are concerned about is if your licensed to practice, sorry to disappoint you. With that said, as a new grad honestly they will start you out low, because the employers have that leverage over you. New grads are a dime a dozen. Especially in California with alot of therapist from India and the philipines. In rehab its more or less about how long you have been practicing. Good luck !

In LA area expect between 35-40$ hhour