new grad pay

[CareerServices]

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I see from time to time that many new grads have questions about pay for their first job. Many of the numbers I see thrown around are unrealisitc to what is actually being offered. I work with hospitals, clinics and SNFs all over the country providing them with market analysis on PT/OT pay, so if anyone is currently looking for work please let me know if you have any questions about pay and I would be more than happy to try and help- for free.

 

[myr11]

well then why don't you start by posting what figures have been posted that seem unrealistic? Obviously many of us are concerned with salary figures as you can see already. Also I think MOST of us here are students rather then practicing therapists at this point. If we were working we wouldn't be posted nearly as much.

 

[Bad0 Fish0]

I would say the figures that are talked about on this forum are VERY realistic. Anytime the subject is brought up, practicing PTs make it very clear that on average, your starting salary as a PT will be around 55-60k, with opportunities to make more in home health, less desirable working conditions, and staffing/travel companies. Most new grads from my school's program who chose to go the travel route made around $70k their first year. The people on this forum make it clear that jobs in the $100k range are rare aside from management positions or owning your own clinic. These are realistic figures.

 

[CareerServices]

I would say the figures that are talked about on this forum are VERY realistic. Anytime the subject is brought up, practicing PTs make it very clear that on average, your starting salary as a PT will be around 55-60k, with opportunities to make more in home health, less desirable working conditions, and staffing/travel companies. Most new grads from my school's program who chose to go the travel route made around $70k their first year. The people on this forum make it clear that jobs in the $100k range are rare aside from management positions or owning your own clinic. These are realistic figures.

Don't forget that cost of living has a huge role in what your going to make. A new grad PT in the San Fran., CA can make around $65K in a hospital, where as a new grad in say Omaha, NE can make around $52K in a hospital. It is true that you can make good money in home health, however that's not always the best setting for a new grad right out of school. Other areas that pay well are SNF, travel and private practice (depending on if your offered profit sharing or other bonus programs). In regards to $100K jobs, they are rare but obtainable.

 

[Bad0 Fish0]

Don't forget that cost of living has a huge role in what your going to make. A new grad PT in the San Fran., CA can make around $65K in a hospital, where as a new grad in say Omaha, NE can make around $52K in a hospital.

Areas where cost of living is extremely high (such as San Fran, as you mentioned), the base pay is going to be much higher.. according to salary.com, the base pay in Omaha is $64k and $75k for San Francisco. I've never heard of a PT in SoCal or the bay area making much less than this. Also, salarywizard is typically pretty spot-on. I think your figures may be low.