School Based Occupational Therapist
Listed compensation
$80k-$120k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
- Pay: $80,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
- Job Location: Contra Costa County
- School-Based Occupational Therapist | $1,000 Sign-On Bonus
At Ascend Rehab Services, our mission is simple—grow, learn, and develop alongside the children and families we serve. We believe every day holds the possibility of a miracle, and our team is passionate about making a meaningful impact through collaboration, compassion, and clinical excellence.
We are currently seeking an Occupational Therapist to join our school-based team within Contra Costa County, working with students across K–12 settings.
What You’ll Do
Conduct pediatric occupational therapy assessments to evaluate students’ functional abilities, including fine/gross motor skills, sensory integration, and daily living skills
- Provide individual and group therapy to address sensory-motor needs and support student development
- Develop and implement IEP goals focused on fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-regulation, and functional independence
- Collaborate with teachers, SLPs, psychologists, and other school staff to support student success
- Recommend and implement assistive technology and accommodations
- Maintain accurate documentation, progress reports, and compliance with school and state guidelines
- Participate in IEP meetings and communicate effectively with families and staff members
Why Join Ascend
- Competitive salary + $1,000 sign-on bonus
- Relocation Assistance
- Comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, life insurance)
- 401(k) with company match
- Multi-tiered clinical support and mentorship
- Generous PTO, paid holidays, and sick leave
- Mileage Reimbursement
- CEU support (in-house + reimbursement)
- Licensure and credential reimbursement
- Wellness incentives and employee recognition programs
- Career growth and leadership opportunities
- Laptop or iPad provided, with full access to in-office laminators and therapy resources
What We’re Looking For
- Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy
- Active California OT License (required)
- Experience or interest in working with pediatric/school-based populations
- Strong collaboration and communication skills
- Passion for supporting students with diverse learning and developmental needs
- If this sounds like a great fit, please contact Scarlett at (510) 362-0834 or talent@ascendrehabinc.com
Key Responsibilities
The Occupational Therapist will conduct pediatric assessments and provide individual or group therapy to support student development in school settings. They will also collaborate with school staff to develop IEP goals and implement necessary accommodations.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy and possess an active California OT license. Experience or interest in working with pediatric or school-based populations is required.
Key Skills
Occupational Therapist Career Context
In California, the Occupational Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$117k (745 salary observations; 2,304 listings), vs ~$97k nationally (5,279 salary observations; 29,546 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$100k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $90k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $80k–$120k | Occupational Therapy median $102k (middle half $98k–$116k)20 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| California vs national | $117k median in California | $97k nationally (+21%)745 state / 5,279 national salary observations |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$90k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Occupational Therapy listings in California | 882 active | 9,001 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 4% remote · 30% no call · 62% no weekends47 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | $1k sign-on | California occupational therapist listings (all specialties): 15% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 5% offer loan repayment938 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Occupational Therapy listings | 3,212 in the last 30 days | 1,658 the 30 days before (+94%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Occupational Therapy pay trend | +4.1% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
Top Occupational Therapist Jobs
25 matches · ranked by paySalary Distribution
25 jobs · 15 employersAnnual compensation range
Benefits & Perks
23 jobs · 15 employersShare of similar jobs offering each benefit
Occupational Therapist Marlboro NJ
Healthcare Recruitment Counselors · Marlboro, New Jersey
Occupational Therapist Matawan NJ
Healthcare Recruitment Counselors · Matawan, New Jersey
Occupational Therapist II, 40 Hours Days, University Campus
$77k-$139kOccupational Therapist - Acute Care
$115k-$135kWork-life snapshot
Listing-based score, 0–10, across 8,995 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.
Benefits & Perks
Living in Antioch
- Typical 3-bedroom home value
- $536k≈ 6.7× annual pay
- Typical market rent
- $2,814/mo≈ 42% of gross pay
- Residents’ average commute
- 42 min
- State income tax
- Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology
Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.
Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.