inquiry/dilemma: starting salary for foreign-trained occupational therapist in the US.

hello fellow occupational therapist. i graduated from the philippines and i would like to ask what is the minimum salary of entry level occupational therapist?

i'm interested in travelling occupational therapy as i really want to travel across the states before going to take permanent full time job (haven't yet decided on where to live and work permanently).

i'm new here (fresh off the boat) and i don't really have any idea on what to expect from the employer. and what should i demand about benefits and compensation. kindly, gimmie any idea about benefits, what to expect and what to do?

and also, if you know what area/faculties/specialties do occupational therapist ear big bucks (hospital, snf, school based, home care). and what state do occupational therapists are well compensated in terms of salary and cost of living?

thanks you

grapevine

Hello otadvantage, thank you for the info.

As I was saying, I'm seeking for an entry level occupational therapy jobs. I still have no experience in the said field except of course for our 12 month internship program at different hospitals and center, and some OT volunteer jobs.

I just don't know what would be the minimum salary for occupational therapist, plus the benefits and compensation.

If I were to choose which on do I prefer. I prefer with great benefits/compensation over the salary.

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Anyone? Kindly give me some pieces of advice? :)

Thank you.

UP, any fellow OTs who could answer my question?

As a new grad, traveling is not the greatest idea as you would be expected to work without hardly any supervision. You would be a contractor making decent money but with the expectation to work independently. Most new grads need some form of mentorship. A permanent position is ideal as a new grad. What states are you interested in? The state/ location will help determine the salary.

Thanks, OT dude. I think as an entry level OT, I should need to acquire solid mentorship and experience as well. I will be having difficulty when there's no completely supervision at all, how'd you say that travelling has no supervision at all?

I'm thinking of working in Illinois, Texas, Colorado or New York. I hope you could help. Lately, I've been thinking of working in the hospital. But I have read that they pay is low compare in working in the SNF or travelling OT. Is this true?

grapevine in Quezon City, Philippines said: Thanks, OT dude. I think as an entry level OT, I should need to acquire solid mentorship and experience as well. I will be having difficulty when there's no completely supervision at all, how'd you say that travelling has no supervision at all?

I'm thinking of working in Illinois, Texas, Colorado or New York. I hope you could help. Lately, I've been thinking of working in the hospital. But I have read that they pay is low compare in working in the SNF or travelling OT. Is this true?

Hey grapevine, if you don't mind me asking, what is the salary range for OTs in the Philippines?

The average salary of OTs here is P12,000 or $300 per month. Why do you ask? Are you from Philippines too?

grapevine in Quezon City, Philippines said: The average salary of OTs here is P12,000 or $300 per month. Why do you ask? Are you from Philippines too?

No, I'm not. I was just curious because my girlfriend is Filipina, and I recently visited her family in Davao. She is a nurse, and I asked her, but she wasn't sure how well OTs do there. We have prospects of possibly retiring there years from now, and I am working on becoming an OT here so I just wanted to know what I might be looking at if I were to continue working there in my retirement. Thanks for the input. Best of luck in your pursuits here in the states.

My cousin working at Chow King was making approx $5 USD/ day and that was back in 1996. That would be approx $200/ month 14 yrs ago!

Haha..I loved the Chow King. Yeah, I was just curious about the OT salary. If we ended up retiring there, we would probably invest in some type of business, but we are young adults now so it is too far in the future to know what will happen.

ToddLPN in Douglasville, Georgia said: Haha..I loved the Chow King. Yeah, I was just curious about the OT salary. If we ended up retiring there, we would probably invest in some type of business, but we are young adults now so it is too far in the future to know what will happen.

I tell you that OT here is not in demand compare to US. Let's say OT here isn't yet well established. You can only see OTs here in Metro Manila, not in Davao or in the province.

Talking about the salary, yeah that's the estimated salary for OTs here. OTs here are usually underpaid at the same time overworked. It also depends on what area you are working. But one thing for sure, the salary is low, majority of the people are not aware that there's an OT profession.

I am from Davao, now living in North Carolina. I was a special education teacher in Davao and contrary to what grapevine mentioned, there are a lot of OTs in Davao, mostly working with special needs children and people with physical challenges. I would agree though, that OTs (like most other professionals in the Philippines) are overworked and underpaid.

Like ToddLPN, I and my husband are also planning on retiring in Davao,Philippines. My husband is an LPN who recently finished the LPN to RN program and is now preparing for NCLEX. He plans on continuing on to RN to MSN. I, on the other hand, just finished all my pre-reqs for OT and will try to get in an MSOT program in Fall 2011. The potential for OT in the Philippines is still huge so, I am hoping that when the time comes, we will be able to use OT and MSN(NP) profession there.

As a new therapist your starting salary would be between 45K and 55K yearly depending on location and setting. Start at a hospital or nursing home for the best exposure to different diagnosis's and ages. I would recommend outpatient, pediatric, and home health to therapists with at least 2 years experience.
Good luck!!

Hi Dbears, sorry for the misleading posts. I've just always thought that Occupational Therapists are much concentrated to either in Manila or Cebu since OT schools (WFOT) are usually offered in the said cities.

Good Luck with you!

@ot girl, thank you so much for the information you gave. it really helps me a lot. its just that i expected a 'huge' salary more than what you've posted, but still I think I agree with you that it differs what area you want to work with.

if you don't mind, from what city/state you're working as well as the company? thanks

I currently work in the Detroit Metro area in Michigan, I have also worked in Nevada and Dallas. The potential for over 100K is there although not as a new grad. I have worked for many different companies including RehabWorks, Healthsouth, Sundance, Baylor, and Amedisys. I have been a therapist for over 10 years.

Hi otgirl,how's your work there? is it good or not? which one of the following companies you mentioned do you recommend? I'm thinking of getting an OT job from the Hospital setting.

By the way, I heard so much bad things about Detroit, MI such as high unemployment rate and crime. And has high cost of living.

hi,

im planning to hire an OT for my 2 yrs old son, he is an autism but im still dont know how much salary i'll offer, im thinking of offering P150 per hour (4 hrs,weekdays) is this a good rates or not much?

hello i'm not really sure how's the salary rate in cebu because im living in manila. but i think 150 per hour would not suffice for OT's professional fee.

in manila, the typical salary per hour of home care OTs is usually range from 400-600 pesos per hour. and salary will also depend in number of ot's experience.

I myself have been looking for a job recently...I am in Missouri so if you are looking to be in Illinois there are a lot of similarities...most offers that I have been receiving are around the $28 an hour for a hospital setting, some are a little more...if you work in a rural area that seems to get you a little more since they have a hard time finding people. A caution on Illinois though is that I hear mal practice insurance is really really high.

As for benefits I would look for someplace that has good health insurance coverage, optional dental and vision if you feel you need it...retirement 401k or Roth IRA matching is always a good thing. Also make sure you look to see how long before you start to accumulate vacation time or paid time off/sick days. Another good bonus that I have found, a lot of places offering are sign on bonuses for pretty good amounts if you will agree to work for a certain number of years, also since you are going to be moving some places will offer a relocation bonus to cover those expenses. I would also ask them about reimbursing for continuing education since you will need that to renew your certification in case you get audited.

I know that was a lot but I hope it helped.

i would market urself to bigger companies- i.e. aegis..lavie...greystone.. then go from there- they usually have an exchange rate to pay for overseas trip and licensure (not to be rude) that the overall overhead is left negligible- so if i were u i would ask for temp housing followed by 35-45 per hour- depending on location (harder to fill market=higher per hr) so if u go to elko, nv, u should ask for 45; go to big city (plus housing) go for 40 n work way down- i am very involved in hiring so i am am just throwing this out there- let the hiring company pay your way

grapevine in Quezon City, Philippines said: The average salary of OTs here is P12,000 or $300 per month. Why do you ask? Are you from Philippines too?

Hi grapevine, I own a clinic in Olongapo, I should say in mine, the average now is 20,000 upwards depending on hours rendered per day and number of days per week.

Hi miss annalez how is your 2 years old son now? Im a mom too with a 2 years old son too... He used to be doing Occupational Therapy in Build Abilities and now his with New Horizon ABA Center here in Cebu.

Hi DBears,

I am also a special education teacher here in California but I plan to pursue OT. Do you have any idea how many years would it take to take OT at Cebu Doctor's University? Thanks.

Dbears in Smithfield, North Carolina said: I am from Davao, now living in North Carolina. I was a special education teacher in Davao and contrary to what grapevine mentioned, there are a lot of OTs in Davao, mostly working with special needs children and people with physical challenges. I would agree though, that OTs (like most other professionals in the Philippines) are overworked and underpaid.

Like ToddLPN, I and my husband are also planning on retiring in Davao,Philippines. My husband is an LPN who recently finished the LPN to RN program and is now preparing for NCLEX. He plans on continuing on to RN to MSN. I, on the other hand, just finished all my pre-reqs for OT and will try to get in an MSOT program in Fall 2011. The potential for OT in the Philippines is still huge so, I am hoping that when the time comes, we will be able to use OT and MSN(NP) profession there.

ching in San Francisco, California said: Hi DBears,

I am also a special education teacher here in California but I plan to pursue OT. Do you have any idea how many years would it take to take OT at Cebu Doctor's University? Thanks.

The OT in Cebu Doctors' University is 5 years ^_^

T.angie in Angeles, Philippines said: Hi grapevine, I own a clinic in Olongapo, I should say in mine, the average now is 20,000 upwards depending on hours rendered per day and number of days per week.

Hi T.Angie, we are planning to set up an OT center in Manila. May I know if this is also the same rate in Manila for fresh graduates? What is the average hourly rate for fresh grads and for experienced OTs? Would greatly appreciate your advise on this.

@starting up: I believe its not the same. It depends on the location of the center and the experience and eligibility of the OT ( say, carrying another license on another country or certifications on certain therapy techniques such as Bobath). Here I give 200pesos per hour on treatment and 1,000 per assessment (licensed). I usually start fresh grads at 150pesos per hour treatment time.I started with hourly rates when my patients were not that stable (at least I don't have to pay the idle time). But when patients were stable at 8 patients/day, I went to monthly rate. I was told my rate was pretty average.

T.Angie in Manila, Philippines said: @starting up: I believe its not the same. It depends on the location of the center and the experience and eligibility of the OT ( say, carrying another license on another country or certifications on certain therapy techniques such as Bobath). Here I give 200pesos per hour on treatment and 1,000 per assessment (licensed). I usually start fresh grads at 150pesos per hour treatment time.I started with hourly rates when my patients were not that stable (at least I don't have to pay the idle time). But when patients were stable at 8 patients/day, I went to monthly rate. I was told my rate was pretty average.

Thank you for your response. This is really helpful! :)

Hello OTs! I'm an OT student back in the Philippines, I finished up to thirdyear in UST before we migrated here in Canada. Now I'm very confused if I should just finish my studies in UST since I'm incoming fourth year next year, I only have 2 years left to become an OT, or should I continue my studies here in Canada, but the catch is they don't have BSOT here, they only have masters, so I need to take up a BS first before pursuing on masters, I'm planning to take up kinesiology and health science, but I dunno if they would credit the subjects I took back in the Philippines. I'm thinking if I finished my BSOT in Philippines, if I plan to work here in Canada, I dunno if I need to take up 2 years of masters before working as an OT or they would just credit my subjects then I'll take up the exam then I can work as an OT here. I'm so confused, to finish it in UST then just go here, less expenses for the tuition but not sure if I could work as an OT here or finish it here, but would take me another 6 or 5 years to become an OT, much expensive,(they student loans though)but sure of working here. I need your suggestions co-OTs! :)

Hi! Im opening a therapy clinic by the end of this month here in manila. Can somebody tell me, how much should i give my ot? Is it really 60/40? 60 on the therapist and 40 on the owner? Please help. Thanks a lot.

Hi, I am currently connected with Badilla Corporation (a Jeepnee Inc. company) We are in need of occupational therapist, physical therapist, registered nurse and speech pathologist for US deployment. INTERVIEW is currently on-going.If anyone is interested for the said opportunity, feel free to send me your updated resume to jo-an.pasia@jeepnee.com. We are looking for experienced healthcare professionals with at least 1-2 years of experience (OJT experience is counted)

Im an OTR practiving for 5 years now.. worked in SNF, home health,,acute care and travelling jobs too.. My first work was year 2007 started with $35 per hour... then worked as PRN with $50 then now earning $70 @ homehealth. Godbless