Show Me the Money!

I figured it was about time to cover this topic as I get a fair amount of questions regarding the salary of a recently graduated therapist. Typically, people enter the field of rehabilitation therapy because they want to have a positive impact on their patients’ lives, however, determining how to eat and pay for the lights are important also.

There is a cost, a large one I might add, involved in becoming a licensed therapist. This is not a secret. Even if your potential earnings were not at the front of your mind while in school, the thought of being able to earn a paycheck (finally!) hit home once graduation was on the horizon. Then, reality sinks in and you realize that you are going to have to start making student loan payments. Suddenly you feel like Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire yelling “SHOW ME THE MONEY!” Okay, that may be a little extreme, but I’m sure you get the point.

Here are a few things you should know about salary as a new therapist:

Experience Matters

Though you have just graduated with the honor of an earned master’s 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 true that traveling therapists will typically 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 some common tips for new graduates. Just like anything else in life there are always going to be special circumstances and situations. For more information or if you have specific questions regarding salary expectations as a new graduate, please feel free to contact the Student Outreach Team. As always, we wish you the best of luck with your endeavors!

Madelyn Saylor
Madelyn Saylor, Student Outreach Recruiter

Madelyn Saylor joined Aureus Medical Group in early 2012. She works as a Student Recruiter in the Rehab Therapy Student Outreach Program. Previously, she worked as an Admissions Advisor at Kaplan University, after graduating from Longwood University. In her spare time, Madelyn enjoys teaching group fitness classes, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

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