PT, OT, and SLP Salaries in Every State

Using the latest data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, we dug up the average salaries for PTs, OTs, and SLPs across the United States.

Using the latest data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, we dug up the average salaries for PTs, OTs, and SLPs across the United States. How does your salary stack up against the average? Find out below.

State Physical Therapist
Average Annual Salary:
Occupational Therapist
Average Annual Salary:
Speech Language Pathologist
Average Annual Salary:
Alabama $90,620 $83,810 $71,240
Alaska $99,180 $86,860 $83,620
Arizona $88,800 $94,800 $74,710
Arkansas $81,430 $81,810 $73,660
California $97,110 $95,160 $93,510
Colorado $82,560 $89,770 $90,980
Connecticut $96,010 $90,780 $92,280
Delaware $93,880 $86,020 $81,440
District of Columbia $89,750 $94,360 $93,570
Florida $87,410 $81,520 $76,820
Georgia $86,320 $82,060 $77,730
Hawaii $90,540 $83,010 $76,330
Idaho $77,700 $81,230 $74,740
Illinois $90,690 $83,940 $77,120
Indiana $83,680 $79,870 $73,780
Iowa $82,960 $80,740 $76,020
Kansas $85,250 $78,720 $70,280
Kentucky $84,630 $79,460 $72,440
Louisiana $89,860 $85,490 $71,270
Maine $76,910 $72,160 $65,540
Maryland $85,170 $89,230 $84,960
Massachusetts $91,750 $87,160 $85,720
Michigan $91,160 $77,940 $78,220
Minnesota $83,750 $74,050 $75,590
Mississippi $89,720 $81,590 $64,560
Missouri $81,330 $75,120 $77,790
Montana $79,050 $74,940 $64,580
Nebraska $80,130 $76,850 $69,110
Nevada $107,920 $100,970 $77,620
New Hampshire $82,880 $79,850 $73,630
New Jersey $97,770 $96,600 $95,000
New Mexico $97,210 $81,660 $74,800
New York $87,470 $88,370 $90,820
North Carolina $87,560 $84,390 $75,310
North Dakota $78,120 $67,420 $67,340
Ohio $86,690 $85,720 $78,200
Oklahoma $84,860 $82,240 $81,700
Oregon $85,890 $90,720 $87,610
Pennsylvania $87,050 $81,030 $79,530
Rhode Island $83,850 $83,600 $80,450
South Carolina $85,450 $78,470 $71,600
South Dakota $76,200 $69,390 $58,860
Tennessee $82,920 $84,870 $77,140
Texas $92,940 $89,360 $75,800
Utah $85,940 $85,300 $78,840
Vermont $75,010 $76,840 $73,550
Virginia $91,700 $93,010 $86,090
Washington $85,930 $81,250 $73,220
West Virginia $89,420 $81,080 $61,070
Wisconsin $85,200 $73,390 $70,560
Wyoming $87,510 $82,010 $80,470

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Hiring Spotlight: CoreMedical Group

In this Hiring Spotlight, learn more about CoreMedical Group and the thousands of openings they have available for nurses, therapy professionals, and physicians.

Welcome to the Hiring Spotlight, a feature that takes a deeper look at companies that are offering excellent opportunities for you across the country.

Company Profile

For more than 25 years, CoreMedical Group has been a leader in healthcare staffing and recruiting for registered nurses, physical and occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, respiratory therapists, physicians, and medical management roles for placement in hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country. Their mission to “Connect People, Improve Lives, and Give Back” is the foundation of everything they do. With thousands of openings across all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, if the right position for you is out there, you can very likely find it with CoreMedical Group.

Take a look at a handful of their openings below, or view thousands of CoreMedical Group’s available jobs by clicking here.

Featured Openings

Nursing Jobs:

RN, Med/Surg $10K BONUS – Muskogee, OK

Immediate need for experienced Med/surg RN’s to join a leading hospital system. Prefer RN’s with 2+ years clinical experience in Medical/Surgical unit or related specialty. Active OK license, BLS Certified.

RN – Registered Nurse – Honolulu, HI

Client in HI seeking HI- TELE (RN) to work 12 hour shifts, Rotating Day / Night. Must work weekends. May be asked to be on-call at times. If voluntary on-call from regular scheduled shift, and called to report, hours will be paid at straight time for regularly scheduled shift.

RN, Nurse, Critical Care, ICU – Frisco, TX

Immediate need for a Registered Nurse with 2 or more years Critical Care / ICU experience in a fast-paced, high acuity setting to join a leading hospital system. BSN Degree preferred. ACLS, BLS Certified. Active TX license.

RN – Registered Nurse – Washington, D.C.

Client in DC seeking RN OR (RN) to work Weekends, Days (05:00-08:00)

RN – Registered Nurse – Los Angeles, CA

Client in CA seeking Staff Nurse Inpatient-CVICU/Coronary-Fast Response (RN) to work 07:00 AM to 07:00 PM

Advanced Practice Jobs:

Nurse Practitioner – Houston, TX

Immediate opening for an experienced Acute Care Nurse Practitioner to join a leading hospital. Qualified candidates will have 3 or more years experience. Must have TX License and prescriptive authority.

Physician Assistant – Albuquerque, NM

CoreMedical Group has partnered with a client in New Mexico that needs ongoing coverage for their Urgent Care. If you do not currently have a NM license but are interested, we can help facilitate this process for you.

Nurse Practitioner – Colorado Springs, CO

CoreMedical Group has partnered with a client in Colorado that needs ongoing coverage for their Neonatal program. This opportunity requires an active CO license.

Nurse Practitioner – Altoona, PA

CoreMedical Group has partnered with a client in Western Pennsylvania that needs ongoing APP coverage for their Hospital Medicine program. If you do not currently have a PA license but are interested, we can help facilitate this process for you. Night Shifts 7p-7a. Block Scheduling. Ongoing Need. Full Sub-specialty support. Market Competitive Rates.

Physician Assistant – Santa Clara, CA

CoreMedical Group has partnered with a client in California that needs ongoing coverage for their Urgent Care. If you do not currently have a CA license but are interested, we can help facilitate this process for you. Mon- Fri- 9 hr day- no weekend, no call. Must see all ages. Minor procedures. Market competitive rates.

Therapy Jobs:

Physical Therapist – PT – Portland, OR

Client in OR seeking Temp – PT – Home Health (Days) Portland, OR (PT) to work Days

Occupational Therapist – OT – Syracuse, NY

Client in NY seeking OT – Ongoing Saturdays (OT) to work Days

Speech Language Pathologist – SLP – York, PA

Client in PA seeking Temp – Rehabilitation – Speech Language Pathologist (Days) York, PA (SLP) to work Days

Occupational Therapist Outpatient Clinic – Rock Hill, SC

Immediate need for a Licensed Occupational Therapist to join a dynamic team of therapists. Prefer an OT with 1 or more years of experience working with pediatric patients. SC License.

Physical Therapist – PT – Macon, GA

Client in GA seeking Travel – PT – Physical Therapy (762) – Days (PT) to work 07:00-19:00

Physician Jobs:

Pediatric Practice Physician – Sidney, OH

Seeking a board certified or board eligible Pediatrician to join a very successful practice. Provider will see approximately 20 to 25 patients per day and enjoy a 1 in 4 call rotation with other employed pediatricians. The practice opportunity is about a 95 percent outpatient and 5 percent inpatient opportunity.

Urology Physician – Machias, ME

This is an opportunity to join a critical access, hospital affiliated multi-specialty group in a small town in Eastern Maine. The practice has been going strong for many years and continues to grow and progress with the times. This is a permanent position. Pay Rate median $450,000 annually and will be dependent on qualifications and experience. Incentive compensation based on WRVU generation. Relocation $10-15k. Sign on bonus $25k.

Physician – Sitka, AK

CoreMedical Group has partnered with a client in Alaska that needs ongoing coverage for their Emergency Medicine program. This opportunity requires an active AK license.

Physician – Punta Gorda, FL

CoreMedical Group has partnered with a client in Florida that needs ongoing coverage for their Neuro-Interventional Radiology program. If you do not currently have a FL license but are interested, we can help facilitate this process for you.

Physician – Williamstown, MA

Outpatient Primary Care. Board Certified FM or IM or BE within 2 years. BLS. Mon- Fri- 8a-5p with weekend call. October start date ongoing. Market competitive rates.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Transitioning into a Career as a Traveling Therapist

Traveling therapy roles are abundant, and they can do wonders for therapists who may be feeling as if they have stagnated in their current role or setting.

Traveling therapy roles are abundant—for instance, check out these great nationwide therapy opportunities from our friends at Princeton Staffing Solutions—and they do wonders for therapy professionals who may be feeling as if they have stagnated in their current role or setting. If you’re interested in taking on your first travel therapist role, here are some tips on how to get started.

  1. Start with a Map: If you are going to cross state lines, you will need to seek licensure in the state or states you are aiming for. By narrowing down your search and beginning the credentialing process in specific states, you will be setting yourself up to work in your ideal location. The process can take a few months, so it is important to start in on this right away, or partner with the right staffing company to help you expedite the process (but more on that later).
  2. Narrow It Down: One of the best things about travel therapy positions is that they offer variety. Decide what type of setting you are looking to work in, and how long of a contract you are seeking. Most travel therapy contracts can range from 8 to 26 weeks, or even the length of an entire school year, depending on what setting you land in.
  3. Get Connected: Partnering with the right recruiter or staffing company can make all the difference in landing your dream travel role. From getting you into your ideal contract to handling travel plans and housing or licensure, it is essential to have them in your corner.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Federal Task Force Pushes PT as an Alternative to Opioids

A report released this week by an inter-agency task force highlights the benefits of physical therapy and other modalities in combatting the opioid crisis.

An inter-agency task force, comprised of 12 public members, nine organization representative members, and eight federal members, released a report this week, entitled Pain Management Best Practices, in an effort to offer updates, gaps, inconsistencies, and recommendations regarding the opioid crisis in relation to managing acute and chronic pain.

The report, which totals 108-pages, emphasizes “patient-centered care in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic pain,” and features a thorough section regarding the benefits of restorative therapies, such as therapeutic exercise, massage therapy, traction, and more. The report goes on to urge an approach of multimodality, including medications, nerve blocks, physical therapy, and others to combat acute pain conditions, in place of opioids.

As it currently stands, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50 million adults in the U.S. struggle with the effects of chronic pain on a daily basis, and opioids were involved in 47,600 overdose deaths in 2017—67.8% of all drug overdose deaths.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Breaking Down MIPS for PTs, OTs, and SLPs

2019 is coming, and so is Medicare’s Merit-Based Incentive Payment System. Here’s an easy-to-follow breakdown of what PTs, OTs, and SLPs need to know.

from WebPT

Medicare’s Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)—the forthcoming payment mechanism that will provide annual updates, based on performance in quality, resource use, clinical practice improvement activities, and meaningful use of an electronic health record system—has two main questions that surround it for therapy professionals: whether or not all physical, occupational, and speech therapists need to report, and if there is a penalty, how to avoid it. Heidi Jannenga, PT, DPT, ATC, over at WebPT breaks down what you can actually expect in terms of MIPS, without any over-dramatization or scare tactics.

Read More →

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Holiday Gift Guide for Children with SPD

The holidays can be hard on children with sensory processing disorders. Here is a guide of sensory-friendly items your patients’ families might want to add to their lists this year.

The holidays can be hard on children with sensory processing disorders—everything from being surrounded by strangers at holiday dinners to sitting on Santa’s lap can be hurdles for your patients and their families to climb, or events for them to flat out avoid—but as awareness of SPD grows, more and more options are available to help children better enjoy the gifting aspects of the upcoming holiday season. Below is a guide of well-reviewed, sensory-friendly items your patients families might want to add to their lists this year.


Photo credit: Amazon.com

Abilitations Teacher’s Pet Weighted Lap Dog

Featured Review:
“This was perfect in every way for my son with autism and sensory processing disorder.”



Photo credit: Amazon.com

Educational Insights Playfoam Pals Wild Animals 6-Pack

Featured Review:
“These are great special treats that are a wonderful alternative to a traditional “surprize egg”. You get the initial excitement of “what toy did I get” coupled with the long term sensory play of the foam!”



Photo credit: Amazon.com

Educational Insights Playfoam Combo 8-Pack

Featured Review:
“I work with kids who have autism, and this a great alternative to Playdoh.”



Photo credit: Amazon.com

CoolSand 3D Sandbox – Dino Discovery Edition

Featured Review:
“Great sensory play toy for my 2 and 5 year old boys. This helps them to calm down and play together nicely.”



Photo credit: Amazon.com

BizyBeez MagStix Sensory Magnetic STEM Toys Building Set for Kids

Featured Review:
“I like all of the different pieces: straight, curved, balls, half spheres, and wheels. I also appreciate the different textures of the items for my son with sensory processing.”


Please note: HealthJobsNationwide.com receives no compensation for recommending these items and makes no warranties regarding their safety. Items listed above should be evaluated individually for potential risks and hazards.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

What PTs Need to Know About Medicare Plans

Our friends at WebPT offer a thorough, but easy-to-follow breakdown of everything PTs need to know related to Medicare plans.

from WebPT

Generally speaking, Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program that provides benefits for people who are 65 or older; people with disabilities; and people with end-stage renal disease. Each part of Medicare—A, B, C, and D—covers a distinct set of services and benefits. Then, there are Supplement Plans that fill in some of the gaps. Not sure how Part C differs from Part A—or what gaps a Supplement Plan could possibly fill? How about Original Medicare versus Medicare Advantage? Keep reading, because we’ve compiled a breakdown of each.

Read More →

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

PTs, OTs Land Spots on List of Highest-Paying Jobs in Healthcare

PTs and OTs are being recognized as top earners in healthcare and are featured on a newly released list of the top ten highest paying careers in the field.

Physical therapists and occupational therapists are being recognized as top earners in healthcare by CNBC, being featured on their newly released list of the top ten highest paying careers in the field.

PTs ranked eighth on the list, with a median annual salary of $86,850, besting OTs in ninth place by only $3,650.

Positions that outrank PTs and OTs in annual earnings include physician assistants, optometrists, nurse anesthetists/midwives/practitioners, pharmacists, podiatrists, dentists, and physicians/surgeons.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Telehealth Saved Providers $2,750 per Patient, New Study Says

The results of a long-awaited study has found that telehealth saves providers nearly $3K per patient when used for post-discharge knee replacement PT.

Telehealth saves healthcare providers nearly $2,750 per patient when used in place of in-person physical therapy for post-discharge knee replacement patients, according to a long-awaited study by the Duke University School of Medicine’s Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI).

The VERITAS (Virtual Exercise Rehabilitation In-home Therapy: A Research Study) project began in 2016 and followed nearly 300 people who had undergone a total knee replacement surgery. Researchers split the group into two groups; half of participants received traditional in-person physical therapy, and the other half received physical therapy via a remote patient monitoring platform known as VERA.

Researchers found that both methods of treatment were similarly effective in reducing knee instability and improving knee function, but that providers using the telehealth platform with clinical oversight saved an average of $2,745 per patient.

The findings of the study strengthen the case for physical therapists who are considering telemedicine as a way of expanding their businesses and boosting patient engagement.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Majority of Patients Expect Opioids After Surgery

Despite campaigns by the therapy community, and the government, to loosen the grip of opioids in the U.S., patients still expect them after surgery.

Despite the mounting opioid crisis in the United States, a staggering 77% of patients expect opioids, such as morphine, fentanyl, and dilaudid, after surgery, according to a study presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists annual meeting.

Researchers surveyed 503 adults who were scheduled to have surgery for the back, ear-nose-and-throat, abdomen, or hip or knee replacement. Survey results showed that all 503 patients expected to receive pain medication after surgery—77% expected opioids, 37% expected acetaminophen, and 18% expected a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.

“Patients often assume they will receive opioids for pain, believing they are superior, and therefore may pressure physicians to prescribe them after surgery. But research shows opioids often aren’t necessarily more effective. Clearly, we need to provide more education to bridge that gap and help patients understand that there are many options for pain relief after surgery, including other pain medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.” Nirmal B. Shah, D.O., lead author of the study and an anesthesia resident at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, is quoted as saying.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.