Hand therapy salary can be confusing, and that’s because most hand therapists don’t report their salary.
In general, the average salary for hand therapists is about $80,000 per year, but it really depends on the location, setting, position, and who you work for.
As a hand therapist, I can tell you honest truth about how much hand therapists make, what you can expect to make as a new grad, and how to maximize your income.
Let’s get started.
Why is hand therapy salary confusing?
Every year census data is collected for employment and posted on bls.gov, but most hand therapists are listing their profession as OT or PT.
That’s why most people rely on websites like Glassdoor, or Salary.com to get their statistics.
Unfortunately, those websites can be misleading, and some of the salary data is inaccurate and not verified.
Below I’ve listed a few 3rd party websites for hand therapy salaries. Although the information isn’t too far off, the information doesn’t tell you what settings, states, or positions pay best.
These 3rd party websites don’t give you specific details either.
| Website | Average | Low end | High end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payscale.com | $81,720 | $67,000 | $100,000 |
| Salary.com | $83,017 | $66,366 | $106,608 |
| Ziprecruiter.com | $88,772 | $67,500 | $104,000 |
That’s why it’s always best to go to the source.
What States pay the best for Hand Therapy?
In general, most states pay about the same, but some states have higher reimbursement rates for medicare. These states include:
- Nevada (Las Vegas)
- California
- New York
- Washington D.C
- Arizona
How much can a new grad in hand therapy make?
$36-45/hour
This is a big range, but it really depends on where you work. Everyone will want to offer you around $35/per hour. I always ask for $2 more unless I have something to leverage.
For example, if you already have hand therapy experience and your current job pays $40, you can negotiate a higher rate. Check out my other post on negotiating OT salary here.
Some places will pay you more if you work per diem or fill in for vacation days.
How much can a seasoned OT make in hand therapy?
$40-50/hour
This isn’t much different than a new grad, and that’s because most seasoned OTs don’t have hand therapy experience. Even if you have 10-15 years of experience, you will still start around $40-45/hour.
If you’ve been working as a hand therapist for a few years and have 10-15 years of OT experience, you can expect to make $45-50 per hour in bigger cities.
How much do certified hand therapists make?
This might surprise you. Certified hand therapists (CHTs) will typically start around $40-$50 per hour. You would think they would make more with their certification, but it’s simply not true.
On average, CHTs make about $3-4 per hour more after becoming certified. If you want to learn more about certification read my other post here.
While certification in hand therapy will help you find a job easier, the pay usually doesn’t change much.
HTTC also has a list of hand therapy salaries, but you have to be a paying member to access it.
What hand therapy businesses pay the most?
- Hand surgery centers
- Hospitals
- Contracted positions
What hand therapy businesses pay the least?
- Outpatient clinics
- Private practice clinics
What hand therapy businesses have the best benefits?
- Hospitals
- Rehab facilities
What hand therapy positions pay the best
- Per diem
- Part time
Most hand therapy clinics are desperate to find a hand therapist who will cover sick leave or vacations. It’s just not easy to find a hand therapist who has the flexibility to cover when needed.
I was able to charge $60/per hour covering for vacation and sick leave, and I could have asked for more. If you’re an experienced hand therapist, you can easily do this working part-time or per diem at 1-2 other facilities.
How much does travel hand therapy pay?
Travel hand therapy pays about the same as any other travel position. On average, travel hand therapy pays $1500-1900 per month. That’s about $37-47/hour.
Pros
- Travel expenses covered
- State license fee reimbursed
- Tax stipend if eligible
Cons
- Positions are difficult to find
- New assignment after 3 months
How to maximize your salary in hand therapy.
My situation was probably a little different than most. I started working as a hand therapist 8 months after working as an OT.
I found a hiring manager who was desperate to fill a hand therapy position at a hand surgeon’s clinic. I asked for $50 per hour, and they accepted my offer.
I only worked 3 days per week. The other 2 days I worked per-diem at a hospital. As a new grad, I was making more than most hand therapists in my area.
Later I found a job working at another surgeon’s office making $60 per hour to cover vacation and sick leave. At this point, I was working per-diem at two hospitals, so I could have more flexibility.
I know working per-diem isn’t for everyone, but it’s a quick way to gain experience and pay off your loans.
How to reach the 90th percentile salary range?
The 90th percentile in hand therapy is around $110-120k per year.
If you’re a new grad, maximizing your salary in hand therapy is all about gaining experience, changing jobs, and being willing to work on an as-needed basis.
This will help you pay off your loans quicker while working in the field you love.
If you’ve been working as a hand therapist for a while and want to increase your income, try looking for another job.
Let your employer know you received a better offer, and see if they’re willing to match.
Conclusion
If you are working as a new grad, seasoned therapist, or certified hand therapist your pay won’t differ much starting out.
If you want to maximize your hand therapy salary, your best option is to find a job working per diem or find a business desperate for a hand therapist.
I hope this article helped you understand hand therapy salary better. To learn how to land a job in hand therapy, read my other post here.
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David is the lead editor of OT Focus. He has been practicing as an Occupational Therapist since 2013. He specializes in acute care, hand therapy, and ergonomics.
