Meliora Academy logo
Meliora Academy
Meriden, Connecticut

Occupational Therapist (OT)

Occupational TherapistFull-Time

Listed compensation

$77k-$89k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 40m ago · Verified live

Job Description

At Meliora Academy, we provide individualized education for students with autism and related challenges, focusing on academics, life skills, and independence. Guided by collaboration, evidence-based practice, and whole-child support, we help students grow with confidence. Join us and make a difference every day.

We are seeking a compassionate, collaborative, and innovative Occupational Therapist to join our team. In this role, you’ll provide screening, assessment, and therapeutic services to students ages 4–22 with significant delays in fine and gross motor skills, visual-motor integration, motor planning, daily living skills, and sensory integration. Your work will help students participate and succeed in the school setting.

What You'll Need

  • Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy program.
  • Current Department of Public Health licensure as an Occupational Therapist.
  • Current Safety-Care, First Aid, and CPR certifications.
  • Clinical knowledge and experience evaluating students and developing treatment plans in a school-based setting.
  • Experience working with neurodiverse students.
  • Ability to lift, push, pull, and move up to 60 pounds.

What You'll Do

Conduct ongoing assessments with the instructional team to identify sensory processing issues that may interfere with learning.

Develop and implement programs, goals, and objectives addressing students’ fine and gross motor skills, visual-motor integration, daily living skills, and sensory integration.

Develop practical strategies that the professionals working with each student can use to address sensory needs.

  • Recommend equipment for individual students or the school.
  • Provide staff support and training in areas of occupational therapy expertise, including training and support for COTAs as needed.
  • Share research-based interventions with instructional staff and BCBAs.
  • Attend Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meetings and other team meetings.

Communicate with parents and provide training and support as needed. Conduct home visits upon request.

  • Complete progress reports, IEP codes, and other required documentation in a timely manner.
  • Maintain accurate records, data collection, reports, and documentation of services.
  • Attend in-service trainings, workshops, and meetings, and review current occupational therapy research and literature to stay informed about current practices and trends.
  • Why You’ll Love Working Here
  • Enjoy both paid time off and extra paid school breaks (for select roles), plus paid holidays
  • Wellness perks including gym discounts, mindfulness apps, and prescription savings
  • Tuition reimbursement, career development programs, and leadership training
  • 401(k) retirement savings with a 4% company match and immediate vesting
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Free Employee Assistance Program with confidential counseling, life coaching, and mental health resources
  • Life insurance, disability coverage, and Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions at no cost to you

Meliora Academy is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you require reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at talent@newstory.com.

Key Responsibilities

The Occupational Therapist will conduct assessments and implement therapeutic programs to address students' motor, sensory, and daily living skill needs. They will also collaborate with instructional staff, attend team meetings, and maintain accurate documentation and progress reports.

Requirements

Candidates must be graduates of an accredited Occupational Therapy program and hold current Department of Public Health licensure. Additionally, they must possess current Safety-Care, First Aid, and CPR certifications, along with experience working with neurodiverse students.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Fine motor skillsTreatment planningSchool-based therapyNeurodiversity supportIEP documentationStaff training

Occupational Therapist Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Connecticut is 103.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$83k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $80k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Connecticut clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 40 active Occupational Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 53% have no call, 63% require no weekends.

What does the Occupational Therapy market look like in Connecticut?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$77k–$89kOccupational Therapy median $98k (middle half $88k–$114k)123 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$80k in purchasing powerConnecticut index 103.6 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Occupational Therapy listings in Connecticut93 active9,404 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 53% no call · 63% no weekends40 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedConnecticut Occupational Therapist listings: 8% state a sign-on bonus · 5% offer loan repayment101 active listings, Oct 2026
Occupational Therapy pay trend+1.5% vs prior quarter—through Sep 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Occupational Therapist Jobs

25 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

25 jobs · 15 employers
6
<$95k
14
$95k-115k
1
$130k
2
$140k
2
$156k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

24 jobs · 15 employers
401k / retirement match
96% this job
CME allowance
54%
Sign-on bonus
42%
Loan repayment
17%
PSLF eligible
8%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Occupational Therapist, OT, Flexible Schedule, Home HealthContract

Concierge Home Care · Melbourne, Florida

$70-$75/hr
#2

Occupational TherapistContract

Luna Physical Therapy · Chicago, Illinois

$68-$75/hr
#3

Occupational Therapist Matawan NJ

$140k
#4

Occupational Therapist Marlboro NJ

$140k
+ 23 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Occupational Therapy listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 9,322 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Meliora Academy logo

About Meliora Academy

Education
Meriden, Connecticut
11-50 employees

Benefits & Perks

Paid Time Off
Paid School Breaks
Paid Holidays
Gym Discounts
Mindfulness Apps
Prescription Savings
Tuition Reimbursement
Career Development

Living in Meriden

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$350k≈ 4.5× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,873/mo≈ 29% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
23 min
State income tax
Up to 7%
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.