Do RNs make more than OTs after years of experience?

[Chris1004]

Ok this thread is going to be *strictly* about money. I know that money isn't everything, but I just want to make sure that I know what I'm getting myself into. I know that new grad salary is definitely higher for OT's than RN's, but it seems like the RN's get a pay raise every year as long as they keep working as to OT's salary leveling off after about 10 years of experience. (Correct me if I'm wrong) For example, I've seen many RN's with 20+ years of experience that started with 50K/yr as a new grad who now earn 110~120K/yr, but I have NOT seen any OT's with 20+ years of experience that earn more than 100K. If anything, it seems like 100K is pretty much the dead end for their salary. Is this true? If so, why? In the end, OTs DID get a higher education than RNs, and they DO build their "experience" just like RNs! Btw, I live in southern California.

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[BHSUStudent]

IMO, if you are interested in making money, than OT isn't for you. Expect anywhere between 60k to 120k+ of student debt. You need to adjust salary for debt in order to get a clear picture. This debt will also include compounding interest. So, nursing might actually give a better return on investment, given the fact that it does not require an advanced degree (and loads of debt) like OT does. 100k for OT's is the approximate ceiling for salaries... OT is not about making money, it's about enhancing the quality of human life, and being an advocate for disadvantaged people. That should be of primary concern, because when you become an OT you're going to come across a lot of patients that cannot afford equipment and other things in the private sector. I've heard of OTs buying equipment for their patients. You're also going to come across employers that send you home when caseloads are low (to your financial dismay), fraudulent OTs trying to make money that do not discharge patients when they are supposed to, etc. Lastly, I wouldn't bring up the topic of money to any OTs. Though you are trying to navigate financially, It shows a lack of genuine interest in the OT profession IMO, and they will hold you into reservation.

 

[member name 7]

WOW relax!
Obviously it's not ALL about the money, but sometimes it's just good to know. Before anyone takes a job one of the main concern is how much money are they going to receive.
It's a useful information so the person can now whether they can support their family, pay their bill, and debts.

 

[BHSUStudent]

WOW relax!
Obviously it's not ALL about the money, but sometimes it's just good to know. Before anyone takes a job one of the main concern is how much money are they going to receive.
It's a useful information so the person can now whether they can support their family, pay their bill, and debts.

I am telling it like it is. Yes money is of concern, but if you express this concern too much or too soon to OTs, they will hold you into reservation and assume you are in it for the money. I speak from experience. Besides, you won't be making a whole lot of money as an OT or PT, because of the debt and compound interest that accumulates from the debt. The higher salary is misleading. It's the same with an MD. People think doctors make a lot of money, but I found the opposite to be true. Salary is never adjusted for debt and interests, and this is something a person must do in order to accurately calculate ROI. Tuition costs have doubled since 2000, which makes getting a professional degree more of a liability than an investment. If you can get your degree cheep, or pay off those loans quickly, than you will make good money.

 

[EastCoastMOT]

First, don't go into any profession with money being your deciding factor. Nursing and OT are both professions you will burn out of fast and regret if you don't truly want to help people and have the patience to work with people going through the most difficult times of their lives. Also, nursing and OT are very different professions. Nurses generally work 3 12 hour shifts in hospitals including required weekend days. OTs in many clinical setting work M-F 9-5 kind of schedules. In nursing you care for patients and go by the medical model, you work directly under doctors orders and give medications and follow very specific protocols and treatments based on a patient's diagnosis and illness. You need to be able to deal with all bodily fluids, death, emergency situations, and the responsibility of someone's life under your care.
In OT everything is trial and error as far as treatments you choose with your patient- it is based on the inidivual's deficits and needs of your patient. You teach patients how to take care of themselves and function at their best mentally, physically, emotionally, you do not take care of them. You need problem solving skills to figure out their deficits and why they have them.. and you need the ability to think outside the box in OT because you have to create treatment plans clients will find meaninful and engage in. You need to have empathy for people with all kinds of deficits and disabilities. I strongly recommend observing OT in the hospital,and other settings. It is very different in each kind of setting and what populations you work with. In a hospital and skilled nursing facility you will also get to see nurses work.
With health care professions it all depends on what area you live in, years of experience, how much you work, and what setting. All these variables need to be considered. Ex. in acute care in my area new nursing grads make ~ $67,000 out of school MOTs ~$73,000. However, OTs have a salary in many settings such as a hospital, where RNs do not. RNs can work overtime and get time and 1/2 and make $100,000 if they work overtime a lot. OTs can also make more by working in contract positions on top of their regular job, or in private practice. It all depends. RNs have more upward mobility in the longrun as far as management positions. From what I've seen, most rehabs have physical therapists as management over their rehab staff.

 

[D0ct0rDee]

Depends where you work. I work in norcal and my base as an rn with only 2yrs experience is 137000, or 65.91 hourly. With ot I make about 98/hr. If I wanted to, I could work 56hrs a week and max at 219k year with that differential

 

[futureOTsj]

Depends where you work. I work in norcal and my base as an rn with only 2yrs experience is 137000, or 65.91 hourly. With ot I make about 98/hr. If I wanted to, I could work 56hrs a week and max at 219k year with that differential

So, you're an OT and RN?

 

[D0ct0rDee]

So, you're an OT and RN?

Sorry, forgot to elaborate. I'm an RN. Most RN positions are unionized up here, hence the great pay/benefits. I'm not sure about OT.
Btw, I'm not even in the ranks of the highest grossing rns here. A friend works in napa for the state, and he know's a couple rns who are working 80hrs a week (voluntarily), making over 300k/year gross. This doesn't include the state benefits (which multiplies with overtime as well). Not to say that everyone should do it, but not bad for profession that only requires a min 2 year degree (4 year BSN isn't necessary to work up here)

 

[futureOTsj]

Sorry, forgot to elaborate. I'm an RN. Most RN positions are unionized up here, hence the great pay/benefits. I'm not sure about OT.
Btw, I'm not even in the ranks of the highest grossing rns here. A friend works in napa for the state, and he know's a couple rns who are working 80hrs a week (voluntarily), making over 300k/year gross. This doesn't include the state benefits (which multiplies with overtime as well). Not to say that everyone should do it, but not bad for profession that only requires a min 2 year degree (4 year BSN isn't necessary to work up here)

I see, I thought you meant, with OT (occupational therapy) not (overtime) LOL. But thanks for elaborating! My mom is a nurse here in NorCal and she hits the same mark in terms of yearly income.