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Creative Arts Therapy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

These positions design and implement creative/expressive arts therapy interventions to meet the patients' treatment goals and documents the patients' response and progress towards the goals ...

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Creative Arts Therapy information

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$129.5K

How much do creative arts therapy jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative arts therapy in the United States is $125,000.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $122,500.00 and $127,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges creative arts therapists face when working with diverse client populations?

Creative Arts Therapists often work with clients from a variety of cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, which can present challenges in ensuring that therapeutic interventions are both relevant and accessible. Adapting creative modalities—such as art, music, or drama—to align with each client’s unique experiences and values requires cultural sensitivity and flexibility. Therapists must also be skilled at building trust and rapport, especially when clients may be unfamiliar with or hesitant about expressive therapies. Ongoing supervision, professional development, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams are essential for navigating these challenges effectively.

What is creative arts therapy?

Creative Arts Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative modalities such as art, music, dance, drama, and writing to help individuals express themselves and address emotional, psychological, or social issues. Unlike traditional talk therapy, it leverages the creative process to foster self-awareness, personal growth, and healing. Creative arts therapists are specially trained professionals who guide clients through these activities in a therapeutic setting, making it suitable for people of all ages and backgrounds. This approach is used in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, and private practices.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a creative arts therapist?

To thrive as a Creative Arts Therapist, you need a background in psychology or counseling, a master's degree in creative arts therapy, and state licensure or certification. Familiarity with therapeutic assessment tools, documentation systems, and specialized art, music, or movement therapy techniques is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, creativity, and emotional intelligence help build trust and facilitate client expression and healing. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively supporting diverse clients in their therapeutic journeys and achieving positive mental health outcomes.

What is the difference between Creative Arts Therapy vs Art Therapist?

AspectCreative Arts TherapyArt Therapist
CredentialsMaster's degree in Creative Arts Therapy or related field, certification varies by stateMaster's degree in Art Therapy, certification (ATR or ATR-BC)
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, schools, mental health centersHospitals, mental health clinics, schools, private practice
Industry UsageUsed broadly for mental health, rehabilitation, and wellness programsPrimarily focused on mental health and emotional well-being through art

Creative Arts Therapy and Art Therapist roles overlap significantly, with both requiring similar credentials and working in healthcare or educational settings. The main difference lies in the scope: Creative Arts Therapy often encompasses multiple art modalities and broader therapeutic approaches, while Art Therapists focus specifically on art-based interventions. Both professions aim to improve mental health and emotional well-being through creative expression.

What does a creative arts therapist do?

A creative arts therapist uses artistic activities such as art, music, dance, or drama to help clients improve mental, emotional, or physical well-being. They assess clients' needs, develop treatment plans, and facilitate sessions in clinical or community settings, often requiring relevant certifications and strong interpersonal skills.
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Infographic showing various Creative Arts Therapy job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,000 per year, or $60.1 per hour.

Senior Creative Arts Therapist

MUSC Health & Medical University of SC

Florence, SC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


MUSC Health rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 201 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

416th of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Job Description Summary
Senior Creative Arts Therapist provides creative arts therapy (art therapy or music therapy) for patients throughout the hospital as assigned. These positions design and implement creative/expressive arts therapy interventions to meet the patients' treatment goals and documents the patients' response and progress towards the goals identified. Other responsibilities include supervision for students and Creative Arts Therapists I, research, and/or education.
Entity
Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA)
Worker Type
Employee
Worker Sub-Type
Regular
Cost Center
CC000271 CHS - Arts In Healing
Pay Rate Type
Hourly
Pay Grade
Health-25
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Work Shift
Job Description
  • Provides assessments and integrates appropriate Creative Arts Therapy interventions for assigned patient population; meeting the cognitive, physical, functional, and expressive needs of patients, patient families, and MUSC community.
  • Participates in the design, administration and monitoring of grants related to clinical objectives or research/clinical trials.
  • Supervises, assigns, and monitors the work of Arts in Healing Creative Arts Therapist and/or Creative Arts Therapy students sponsored by the Arts in Healing Internship or Practicum program.
  • Documents and maintains records, progress reports, and statistical information in appropriate formats while also fulfilling the Arts in Healing Program and facility-wide quality assurance/performance improvement standards.
  • Works collaboratively with select volunteers and Interns within the Arts in Healing Program.
  • Leads communication and education of the Arts in Healing Program goals, mission, and services to MUSC Health leaders, physicians, care team members, and the community.
  • Works collaboratively with the Office of Humanities, Development, Government Relations, Patient and Family Centered Care, and Diversity and Inclusion to ensure MUSC community needs are incorporated into the patient-centered Arts in Healing Program.

Additional Job Description
Minimum Training and Education: Bachelor's degree in music therapy or music with an equivalency in music therapy, certification by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (MT-BC); or Master's degree in Art Therapy; Art Therapist registration (ATR) by the Art Therapy Credentials Board within one year of employment. Skills: Strong interpersonal skills, creative, flexible, and resourceful. Ability to work collaboratively with care team members at all levels of the organization.
Required Licensure, Certifications, Registrations: Certification by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (MT-BC); or Art therapist registration (ATR) by the Art Therapy Credentials Board within one year of employment. Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS), either a certification from an American Heart Association (AHA) BLS for Healthcare Providers (or AHA recognized equivalent) or an American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Provider and certification in Safety Care within the first 30 days of employment required.
Physical Requirements
  • Mobility & Posture

  • Standing: Continuous

  • Sitting: Continuous

  • Walking: Continuous

  • Climbing stairs: Infrequent

  • Working indoors: Continuous

  • Working outdoors (temperature extremes): Infrequent

  • Working from elevated areas: Frequent

  • Working in confined/cramped spaces: Frequent

  • Kneeling: Infrequent

  • Bending at the waist: Continuous

  • Twisting at the waist: Frequent

  • Squatting: Frequent

  • Manual Dexterity & Strength

  • Pinching operations: Frequent

  • Gross motor use (fingers/hands): Continuous

  • Firm grasping (fingers/hands): Continuous

  • Fine manipulation (fingers/hands): Continuous

  • Reaching overhead: Frequent

  • Reaching in all directions: Continuous

  • Repetitive motion (hands/wrists/elbows/shoulders): Continuous

  • Full use of both legs: Continuous

  • Balance & coordination (lower extremities): Frequent

  • Lifting & Force Requirements

  • Lift/carry 50 lbs. unassisted: Infrequent

  • Lift/lower 50 lbs. from floor to 36": Infrequent

  • Lift up to 25 lbs. overhead: Infrequent

  • Exert up to 50 lbs. of force: Frequent

  • Examples:

  • Transfer 100 lb. non-ambulatory patient = 50 lbs. force

  • Push 400 lb. patient in wheelchair on carpet = 20 lbs. force

  • Push patient stretcher one-handed = 25 lbs. force

  • Vision & Sensory

  • Maintain corrected vision 20/40 (one or both eyes): Continuous

  • Recognize objects (near/far): Continuous

  • Color discrimination: Continuous

  • Depth perception: Continuous

  • Peripheral vision: Continuous

  • Hearing acuity (with correction): Continuous

  • Tactile sensory function: Continuous

  • Gross motor with fine motor coordination: Continuous

  • Selected Positions:

  • Olfactory (smell) function: Continuous

  • Respirator use qualification: Continuous

  • Work Environment & Conditions

  • Effective stress management: Continuous

  • Rotating shifts: Frequent

  • Overtime as required: Frequent

  • Latex-safe environment: Continuous

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!
The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.
Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees

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About MUSC Health

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MUSC is located in Charleston, SC, frequently named one of the best places in America to live. If charming, historic, vibrant, cultural, and coastal are adjectives that you find appealing, it's all here. In Charleston, you might find yourself dining at a world class restaurant tonight and relaxing on a boat as you explore our many waterways tomorrow. You might stroll along cobblestone streets, amidst centuries old homes by day and attend a jazz concert by night. Charleston is a place where you can live your life to its fullest.

Industry

Hospitality services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Charleston, SC, US

Year founded

1824