In the United States, the mean (rehabilitation) rehab technician salary registers at $33,780. Rehab technicians earn, on a mean basis, C$61,118 ($47,689 USD) in Canada, £21,172 ($29,828 USD) in the United Kingdom, and AU$81,179 ($62,287 USD) in Australia. For rehab technicians in New Zealand, the mean stands at NZD$73,042 ($53,102 USD) in New Zealand. While reported pay in each country may differ based on the source, the below content highlights the general state of salaries and the factors affecting pay.
How Much Does a Rehab Technician Salary Make?
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Rehab Technician Salary Determinant Factors
Rehabilitation technicians work in public and private sector environments. Within these settings lie places that provide rehabilitation, such as nursing homes, hospitals, family rehabilitation and counseling centers and schools. Thus, earnings often vary by the particular employer.
Rehabilitation technicians earn more with accumulated experience. Pay also can vary with hours worked, as a sizable number of part-time workers populate the rehab technician occupation.
1. How Much Does a Rehab Technician Salary Make by Country?
Rehab Technician Salary in US
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a mean figure of $33,780 for “Occupational Therapy Aides,” which include rehab technicians, in the United States. According to PayScale, rehab technicians in the United States earn on a mean basis $25,000. Pay runs from $20,218 to as much as $40,183. The U.S. Department of Labor’s “Job Corps,” a free training program for those ages 16 to 24, states a potential national mean salary of $34,000 for rehabilitation technicians.
Rehab Technician Salary in Canada
In Canada, the mean salary for rehab technicians stands at C$61,188. SalaryExpert places the range of salaries from C$44,134 to C$75,320.
Rehab Technician Salary in UK
According to Indeed, rehabilitation technicians in the United Kingdom make on a mean basis £21,172.
Rehab Technician Salary in Australia
SalaryExpert says that rehabilitation technicians in Australia collect a mean salary of AU$87,179. The pay range runs from AU$62,982 to AU$107,488.
Rehab Technician Salary in New Zealand
The mean salary for rehab technicians in New Zealand is NZD$73,042, reports SalaryExpert. Entrants into the field can expect to make ultimately between NZD$52,727 and NZD$89,986.
2. How Much Does a Rehab Technician Salary Make According to Experience?
PayScale places the pay for entry-level rehab technicians in the United States at $24,000. Those who accumulate five to ten years of experience achieve mean pay of $27,000. At the ten to 20-year experience level, mean earnings rise to $29,000, with rehab technicians fetch on average $31,000 with more than 20 years in the job.
In Canada, rehab technicians with up to three years of experience have mean pay of C$44,134. As reported by SalaryExpert, senior-level earnings average C$75,320. For entry-level rehab technicians in Australia, the mean rests at AU$62,982. Rehab technicians in the country make on average AU$107,488 with eight or more years in the job.
3. How Much Does a Rehab Technician Salary Make According to Work Environment?
Indeed reports a mean salary of £20,831 for rehab technicians in the United Kingdom’s government-run National Health Service. This falls slightly under the overall national average of £21,172. The National Health Service classifies rehab technicians as “Occupational therapy support workers” and pays them on the “Band 2” on the “Band 3” levels. This translates to pay ranges of £15,404 to £18,157 and £16,986 to £19,852 respectively. Those with senior-level experience or responsibility can expect between £19,409 and £22,683 as “Band 4” workers.
As reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest earning occupational therapy aides reside in “State Government” at $48,910. “Home Health Care Services” follow at $45,810. Mean pay runs at $44,730 for those in “Educational Support Services” and $44,180 for aides in “Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities).” Neuvoo lists openings for rehabilitation technicians in the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs, with a salary of $43,584.
Working Hours
Rehabilitation therapy typically occurs by appointments rather than on an emergency basis, reducing the need for technicians to be available on a twenty-four hour basis or work irregular hours.
However, rehabilitation technicians may work evenings or weekends, depending on the specific employer. Providers such as hospitals, nursing home and around-the-clock residential facilities for those with developmental issues may provide rehabilitations beyond normal business hours. Rehabilitation technicians who work for family services or governmental agencies normally have daytimes and weekdays.
Full-time and part-time positions present themselves among rehabilitation technicians. O*NET states that 76 percent of “occupational therapy aides,” which includes rehab technicians, in the United States work 40 hours per week, with 16 percent logging less than 40 hours per week.
According to Job Bank Canada, only 45 percent of workers “Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment,” which includes rehabilitation technicians, in Canada occupy the full-time camp. In the National Health Service, rehabilitation technicians have standard work weeks lasting 37.5 hours.
Bonuses and Benefits
The benefits afforded rehab technicians vary with the employer. Bonuses climb to as much as $1,272 for rehab technicians in the United States. Rehab technicians in Canada can expect to earn bonuses averaging C$1,830, while the figure sits at AU$2,607 in Australia.
Nearly 65 percent of rehab technicians in the United States reported to PayScale having medical benefits. Dental coverage went to 56 percent of these technicians, while the coverage rate for vision benefits stood at 56 percent.
Many employers, including government agencies, usually offer retirement and health benefits. Rehabilitation technicians, particularly full-time ones, in the private sector may participate in stock options or profit-sharing plans.
Career Prospects
Rehabilitation technicians should find job opportunities plentiful from the demand for rehabilitation services. The increasing age of the population results in a greater number of people with potential mobility and cognitive challenges that require rehabilitation. Those needing rehabilitation also include combat veterans and victims of injuries and other illnesses that impact typical and essential daily activities.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupation therapy aides in the United States should increase by 25 percent, or 1,800, by 2026. The field numbered 7,500 in 2016, showing that the occupation is relatively small and emerging.
Employment statistics for physical therapists and other rehabilitation professionals afford a barometer for hiring prospects for rehabilitation technicians. The projected rise in occupational therapy aide employment generally tracks the 28 percent predicted jump in employment of physical therapists from 2016 to 2026, representing 67,100 additional positions by 2026.
According to Job Outlook Australia, the occupational therapist field should grow by 4,500 to 21,200 by May 2022. Job Bank Canada predicts 5,800 additional positions for rehabilitation specialists in Canada by 2024.
Conclusion
The rehab technician field should grow in size as demand for rehabilitation increases throughout the population. Pay should remain in the lower levels of healthcare employees, with earning prospects rising with experience and with advancement to senior roles or into physical or occupational therapist roles.
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