Occupational Therapist Jobs in California
Occupational Therapist jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, with strong demand across pediatric clinics, acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and school districts at every level from new graduate to senior clinician. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the largest hiring metros, home to major employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and UCLA Health. The specialties seeing the steadiest openings are pediatrics, hand therapy, and geriatric rehabilitation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Under the supervision of the department leadership, the Per Diem Occupational Therapist is responsible for the evaluation and treatment of patients requiring occupational therapy services in the acute care hospital setting. Primary responsibilities include assessing patient needs, developing and implementing treatment plans, documenting patient care in accordance with departmental and regulatory requirements, and maintaining established productivity standards.
Key duties include:
- Performing comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations.
- Developing and implementing individualized treatment plans.
- Providing therapeutic interventions to support patients' functional goals and recovery.
- Completing timely and accurate clinical documentation.
- Collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare team members to ensure coordinated patient care.
- Maintaining expected productivity and quality standards.
- Participating in department and hospital initiatives as needed.
- Floating to other hospital locations to provide coverage, as required.
Salary Range: $73.82 - $92.23 per hour.
This per diem position may have the opportunity to convert to a career
- CA OT license
- BLS from AHA or ARC
- Acute care experience preferred
- Ability to work as a member of the team, including sharing knowledge, giving and receiving feedback, taking initiative to assist others, problem-solving, and providing an atmosphere conducive to learning.
- More than 2 years of experience qualifies for the OT 2 title.
Under the supervision of the department leadership, the Per Diem Occupational Therapist is responsible for the evaluation and treatment of patients requiring occupational therapy services in the acute care hospital setting. Primary responsibilities include assessing patient needs, developing and implementing treatment plans, documenting patient care in accordance with departmental and regulatory requirements, and maintaining established productivity standards.
Key duties include:
- Performing comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations.
- Developing and implementing individualized treatment plans.
- Providing therapeutic interventions to support patients' functional goals and recovery.
- Completing timely and accurate clinical documentation.
- Collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare team members to ensure coordinated patient care.
- Maintaining expected productivity and quality standards.
- Participating in department and hospital initiatives as needed.
- Floating to other hospital locations to provide coverage, as required.
Salary Range: $73.82 - $92.23 per hour.
This per diem position may have the opportunity to convert to a career
- CA OT license
- BLS from AHA or ARC
- Acute care experience preferred
- Ability to work as a member of the team, including sharing knowledge, giving and receiving feedback, taking initiative to assist others, problem-solving, and providing an atmosphere conducive to learning.
- More than 2 years of experience qualifies for the OT 2 title.
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Find Occupational Therapist JobsOccupational Therapist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- HiredFirst124H
- Voyage Health36V
- Collage Rehabilitation Partners27
- Talented Medical Solutions13
- EmpowerMe Wellness8
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services14
- Education1
- Technology & Software1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in occupational therapist jobs across California.
- Active California Occupational Therapy license issued by the California Board of Occupational Therapy
- Master's or doctoral degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program
- Passage of the NBCOT certification examination prior to or upon hire
- Relevant clinical fieldwork experience in a hospital, clinic, or school setting
- Strong documentation skills and familiarity with electronic health record systems
- Current CPR and Basic Life Support certification from an accredited provider
Occupational Therapist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a occupational therapist in California?
You must obtain a California occupational therapy license from the California Board of Occupational Therapy before practicing in the state. This requires completing an accredited master's or doctoral OT program, accumulating the required supervised fieldwork hours, and passing the NBCOT certification exam. Once you have your NBCOT results, you apply to the California Board of Occupational Therapy for licensure. California does not participate in the OT licensure compact, so out-of-state therapists must apply for a California-specific license.
How much do occupational therapists make in California?
Occupational therapists in California earn a median of about $124,510 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $85,550 for the lowest 10% to over $158,560 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire occupational therapists in California?
Employers hiring occupational therapists in California right now include HiredFirst, Voyage Health, and Collage Rehabilitation Partners, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's large integrated health systems, school districts, and rehabilitation networks consistently post the highest volume of openings across the state.
Which California cities have the most occupational therapist jobs?
Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Jose have the most occupational therapist openings in California. Los Angeles leads due to the sheer concentration of hospital systems, pediatric clinics, and school districts, while San Francisco and San Diego draw demand from major academic medical centers and VA facilities that anchor those metro areas.
Are there remote occupational therapist jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Occupational therapy is a hands-on clinical profession, so most roles require in-person patient contact. About 15% of occupational therapist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to be in telehealth consultation, care coordination, or utilization review rather than direct patient treatment.
How can I get hired as a occupational therapist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for new-graduate positions at large California health systems, which recruit directly from accredited OT programs. Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and many California school districts run structured new-grad onboarding programs designed for therapists completing their first year of practice. Candidates with completed Level II fieldwork in pediatrics, acute care, or skilled nursing have the strongest footing. Obtaining your California Board of Occupational Therapy license before your first interview signals readiness and removes a common hiring barrier for entry-level candidates.
Where can I find and apply to occupational therapist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to occupational therapist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your specialty and location, and apply directly to the employer.
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