Since the Student Outreach Team receives so many questions about salary and pay for a newly-graduated therapist, I thought it might be helpful to review this information again. It is no secret that the cost of becoming a rehabilitation therapist is high. Many of you will be looking forward to earning money, no doubt.
A great number of you have graduated and some of you have taken your boards and even become licensed. You have certainly achieved a great accomplishment! Once the celebrating commences, reality usually sinks in. There is job hunting to do and student loans that will soon need to be paid!
Here are some things to consider about salary expectations as a new graduate:
Experience Matters
While you have just graduated with the honor of an earned masters or doctorate degree, there is something very important you need to keep in mind. You are entering a competitive field without any experience. Here’s another way to put it: you are at the bottom of the totem pole and you are going to have to earn your way up just like everyone else. This does not mean you should take an unreasonable offer, but it does mean that you need to do your research and find out what would be reasonable for a particular setting and location.
Setting and Location
These are two big factors that determine pay, whether you are a new graduate or an experienced therapist. You have to look at what setting you will be working in (is it highly desired, are there fewer available positions in this setting, etc.) and where it is located (rural, big popular city, suburb, etc.). Simply put, a therapist practicing in New York City is not going to have the same earnings as someone in Milwaukee. You’ll also have to research the cost of living in your desired location(s); this will help determine whether an offer you receive is fair.
A Doctorate Degree Doesn’t Always Equal More Money
I get it, you’ve worked incredibly hard to earn this title and you should take pride in your accomplishment. However, it all goes back to experience. When directors are looking at your resume versus a therapist with ten years of experience and a bachelor’s degree, you may get passed up for the position. My advice to you is to respect those whom you can learn something from and in return perhaps you will actually learn something useful to further your own career. Remember, most of you chose this career because you wanted to be in the business of helping people, not to go around flaunting the fact that you have an advanced degree.
Travel Therapy May Mean More Money, but Not Always in Ways You Expect
Yes, it is typically true that traveling therapists will see more money than someone in a permanent position. However, travel positions are not for everyone and if you are apprehensive about traveling to different facilities throughout different states, the monetary perks will not be enough to keep you happy. If you think a travel position is for you, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of housing, transportation, and licensure reimbursements. For example, how much money would you save if you didn’t have to pay rent/mortgage every month?
Finally, I ask that you keep in mind that these are just some common tips for new graduates. Sometimes, a position you’ve been offered may not pay as much as you had hoped. Before you turn it down, be sure to take all of the benefits the position offers into consideration. If it offers great mentorship, healthcare benefits, and a generous amount for continuing education, it may be a better option than a position offering more money but not as many benefits. If you have questions or would like more information about this topic, please feel free to contact the Student Outreach Team! As always, we wish you the best of luck in your job search and in your therapy career!
