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Adventist Health
San Luis Obispo, California

Occupational Therapist, Per Diem, Day shift

Occupational TherapistNo nightsPer Diem

Listed compensation

$48.55-$72.77/hr

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 38m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Nestled on the Central California Coast, Adventist Health Sierra Vista has been providing care to our community since 1959. Our 162-bed acute care facility includes a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and county designated trauma center. San Luis Obispo offers the excitement of a lively community while being a fifteen-minute drive from the serenity of Avila Beach, known for their natural hot springs, and Pismo Beach, known for their sand dunes and eucalyptus trees.

Featuring a charming downtown, comfortable coastal weather, idyllic views, and an active lifestyle San Luis Obispo offers much to be had.

Job Summary

Plans and conducts segments of treatment programs designed to restore and improve physical, social and mental functions, while meeting department objectives. Serves as co-leader in interdisciplinary approach to patient groups.

This position is represented by SEIU.

Job Requirements

Education and Work Experience

  • Master's degree in Occupational Therapy or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD): Required; only if obtained license on or after January 2007.
  • Two years' occupational therapy experience: Preferred

Licenses/Certifications

  • Occupational Therapy licensure in state of practice: Required
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from approved vendor per AH policy:

Required

  • Occupational Therapy Licensure in the state of practice: Required

Facility Specific License/Certifications

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from approved vendor per AH policy:

Required

Essential Functions

  • Completes evaluations to ensure quality standards and addresses assessment areas that require attention. Uses appropriate clinical techniques and tools and establishes individualized treatment plans for patients.
  • Provides therapy interventions using appropriate treatment protocols and techniques. Establishes individualized care and discharge plans and ensures plans are communicated to appropriate parties.
  • Completes comprehensive and accurate clinical documentation within established deadlines.
  • Supervises assigned assistants.
  • Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Organizational Requirements

Adventist Health is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our associates and patients. Therefore, we require that all associates receive all required vaccinations as a condition of employment and annually thereafter, where applicable. Medical and religious exemptions may apply.

Adventist Health participates in E-Verify. Visit

adventisthealth.org for more information about

E-Verify. By choosing to apply, you acknowledge that you have accessed and read the E-Verify Participation and Right to Work notices and understand the contents therein.

Adventist Health is a faith-based, nonprofit, integrated health system serving more than 100 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii with over 440 sites of care, including 27 acute care facilities.

Founded on Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in hospitals, clinics, home care, and hospice agencies in both rural and urban communities.

Our compassionate and talented team of more than 38,000 includes employees, physicians, Medical Staff, and volunteers driven in pursuit of one mission: living God's love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope.

Key Responsibilities

The occupational therapist will plan and conduct treatment programs to restore physical, social, and mental functions for patients. They will also serve as a co-leader in interdisciplinary patient groups and complete comprehensive clinical documentation.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree or Doctorate in Occupational Therapy and possess a valid state license. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required, and two years of prior experience is preferred.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Clinical evaluationTreatment planningPatient assessmentSupervisionInterdisciplinary collaboration

Occupational Therapist Career Context

In California, the Occupational Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$116k (787 salary observations; 2,371 listings), vs ~$97k nationally (5,591 salary observations; 28,673 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 ~$126k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $114k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

What does the Occupational Therapy market look like in California?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score5.1 / 10 · above average in occupational therapyranked against 8,905 Occupational Therapy listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed pay$101k–$151kOccupational Therapy median $141k (middle half $141k–$141k)15 comparable listings, Nov 2026
California vs national$116k median in California$97k nationally (+20%)787 state / 5,591 national salary observations
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$114k in purchasing powerCalifornia index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Occupational Therapy listings in California910 active9,132 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 6% remote · 52% no call · 58% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedCalifornia Occupational Therapist listings: 15% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 6% offer loan repayment970 active listings, Nov 2026
New Occupational Therapy listings3,199 in the last 30 days1,713 the 30 days before (+87%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Occupational Therapy pay trend+3.0% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (8,905 Occupational Therapy listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top contract/1099 Occupational Therapist Jobs

50 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

29 jobs
6
<$125k
13
$125k-140k
7
$140k-155k
3
$155k-170k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

34 jobs
401k / retirement match
85%
CME allowance
53%
Sign-on bonus
24%
Relocation assistance
18%
Loan repayment
12%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Occupational Therapist

Home Care Providers Group · Yuba City, California

$95/hour
#2

Home Care Occupational Therapist- 1099 (Eastern Suffolk County)Per Diem

US Physical Therapy · Selden, New York

$65-$90/hr
#3

Occupational Therapist - $80 to 90 per hour - Part Time

$80-$90/hr
#4

Occupational Therapist-Neuro and Hand Therapist- Per Diem- San Diego County Float

$52.36-$75.69/hr
+ 48 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 5.1
Better work-life than 50% of Occupational Therapy listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 8,905 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No nights

Living in San Luis Obispo

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.10M
Typical market rent
$2,968/mo
Residents’ average commute
16 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
108.6
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.

BEA 2024 · San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.