If you’re into warm beaches, palm trees, and professional growth as a travel occupational therapist, then head to the West Coast. Between 2018 and 2028, California is expected to see an 18.9% surge in occupational therapist jobs, creating around 2,000 positions throughout the state and regularly coming in at one of the states where OTs are paid most.
There are lots of opportunities for travel occupational therapists in the Sunshine State, which also offers some of the highest average pay rates in the country. Depending on where you take a travel therapist assignment, this may be balanced out by the cost of living and inflation, so make sure you have a handle on other costs as well as your take home pay.
When you check into your temporary housing on the West Coast, see what's near your place (and the facility) and check out these things to do in California, from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
The cost of living in Texas is generally lower than the national average. Depending on where you live and work, you can find areas with a very reasonable standard of living. The median home value in the state is $165,500. This means that when you take travel OT jobs in most areas in Texas, you have a better chance of taking home more at the end of the day.
Texas also offers many traveling occupational therapy professionals a wide range of opportunities for contracts in clinical settings. With numerous metropolitan areas scattered throughout the state, travel medical professionals, whether you're a seasoned traveling therapist or fresh out of OT school, will have plenty of occupational therapist jobs to choose from while living in Texas in both urban and rural settings.
New York is an ideal place for occupational therapists due to its diverse and vibrant culture as well as access to top-notch educational institutions and hospitals for career development and further certifications. In addition, since New York is one of the largest states in terms of population, there are plenty of travel occupational therapist jobs available for those with experience as an occupational therapist.
The cost of living in New York State is higher than the national average, but still quite reasonable considering the many economic opportunities available here. The median home value in New York State is $246,400, but can vastly differ when considering New York City and other places upstate.
In case you're not looking for the urban NYC experience, here are some additional suggestions for the rest of New York!
Indiana's small towns and communities are full of friendly people who embrace a slower pace of life and a balance between professional and personal life that can be quite beneficial for health care professionals (although Indianapolis, pictured above, is still a bustling city if you'd like to speed up the pace). Additionally, Indiana boasts some excellent health care facilities and educational programs that focus on occupational therapy specifically.
Indiana has a low cost of living compared to other states in the US, with a median home value of $150,000, so it's a great place for med travelers to take assignments if you're saving up for a big purchase.
North Carolina offers traveling therapists plenty to explore and enjoy. From breathtaking mountain views to world-class beaches, outdoor enthusiasts will love what North Carolina has to offer in terms of natural beauty and recreational activities.
The median home value in North Carolina is $169,300, so the cost of living is also relatively low, plus the state offers competitive pay for travel therapists.
As more Americans require personalized healthcare, the job options for both occupational therapists and COTAs are growing much faster than the average rate. Employment of OTs alone is projected to expand 14% by 2030 and open more than 10,000 occupational therapist jobs each year.
And COTA growth is even more impressive. By 2031, it’s estimated the profession will expand by 25%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). With this tremendous growth comes over 9,000 COTA job openings through facilities and travel companies every year until then.
If you’re in search of where to take your OT skills, and want the opportunity to work with other medical professionals in dynamic settings, consider some of these highest paying states for a traveling occupational therapist.
Occupational therapists work to give people the power to get back to lives worth living, and a career as a travel OT allows you to be the best OT you can be. As the American population continues to age and more individuals require specific care, the demand for OTs and physical rehabilitation programs will continue to climb.