Occupational Therapist or COTA - School Based
Listed compensation
$80k-$120k
Listing transparency2 of 6 stated
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and weekend coverage.
- Employment & setting
- Full-Time
- Call expectations
- Not specified
- Weekends
- Not specified
Job Description
- Pay: $80,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
- Job Location: Santa Clara County
- School-Based Occupational Therapist or COTA | Multiple Bay Area Locations
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 in the Santa Clara 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 + 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
- 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
#INDRE
Key Responsibilities
The 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.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
Key Skills
Occupational Therapist Career Context
In California, the Occupational Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$113k (323 salary observations; 574 listings), vs ~$97k nationally (2,458 salary observations; 7,281 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-09-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
Occupational Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 6.0% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).
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).
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