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Neonatal Occupational Therapy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Amberwell Health

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Hiawatha, KS · On-site

$23.25 - $31.25/hr

Neonate/Infant (birth- 1 year) * Child/Ped (1- 11 year) * Adolescent (12- 17 years) * Adult (18- 64 years) * Geriatric (65+ years) Mental and Emotional Requirements * Manage stress appropriately

Amberwell Health

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Hiawatha, KS · On-site

$23.25 - $31.25/hr

Neonate/Infant (birth- 1 year) * Child/Ped (1- 11 year) * Adolescent (12- 17 years) * Adult (18- 64 years) * Geriatric (65+ years) Mental and Emotional Requirements * Manage stress appropriately

Amberwell Health

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Hiawatha, KS · On-site

$23.25 - $31.25/hr

Neonate/Infant (birth- 1 year) * Child/Ped (1- 11 year) * Adolescent (12- 17 years) * Adult (18- 64 years) * Geriatric (65+ years) Mental and Emotional Requirements * Manage stress appropriately

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Neonatal Occupational Therapy information

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$10

$40

$84

How much do neonatal occupational therapy jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for neonatal occupational therapy in the United States is $40.12, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.16 and $47.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What can OTs do in the NICU?

Neonatal occupational therapists in the NICU assess and support premature and ill newborns' development, focusing on feeding, motor skills, sensory processing, and positioning. They collaborate with medical teams to create individualized intervention plans and often use specialized tools and techniques to promote growth and development in a critical care environment.

What are some common challenges faced by neonatal occupational therapists when working in the NICU, and how are these typically addressed?

Neonatal occupational therapists in the NICU often encounter challenges such as supporting infants with complex medical conditions, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, and providing family-centered care in a high-stress environment. These challenges are typically addressed through ongoing communication with medical staff, evidence-based interventions tailored to each infant’s developmental needs, and regular family education sessions. Therapists also participate in specialized training and peer support to stay updated on best practices for treating premature and medically fragile infants.

How to make 200k as an OT?

Neonatal occupational therapists can reach a 200k salary by gaining extensive experience, obtaining advanced certifications, and working in high-paying settings such as hospitals or private practices. Specializing in neonatal care, developing strong clinical skills, and pursuing leadership or consulting roles can also increase earning potential.

What is neonatal occupational therapy?

Neonatal occupational therapy is a specialized area of therapy focused on supporting the development of premature or medically fragile infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Therapists work with infants and their families to promote sensory, motor, and feeding skills, as well as to encourage bonding and neurodevelopment. Interventions may include positioning, soothing techniques, environmental modifications, and caregiver education to help infants achieve optimal growth and development during their critical first weeks or months of life.

What is the difference between Neonatal Occupational Therapy vs Pediatric Occupational Therapy?

AspectNeonatal Occupational TherapyPediatric Occupational Therapy
CredentialsOT license, neonatal specialization, possibly neonatal therapy certificationOT license, pediatric specialization, general pediatric therapy certification
Work EnvironmentNeonatal intensive care units, hospitals, neonatal clinicsSchools, outpatient clinics, pediatric hospitals
Employer & IndustryHospitals, neonatal care centers, specialized clinicsSchools, outpatient clinics, community health centers

Neonatal Occupational Therapy focuses on infants in neonatal intensive care units, addressing early developmental needs. Pediatric Occupational Therapy works with children in broader settings like schools and clinics. While both roles require similar credentials, their work environments and client populations differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Neonatal Occupational Therapist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Neonatal Occupational Therapist, you need expertise in pediatric occupational therapy, neonatal development, and sensory integration, usually supported by a master's degree in occupational therapy and state licensure. Familiarity with neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) protocols, specialized assessment tools, and certifications like Neonatal Touch & Massage or NDT are common requirements. Outstanding communication, compassion, and collaboration skills are vital for working with infants, families, and multidisciplinary medical teams. These competencies are crucial for supporting optimal developmental outcomes and enhancing the quality of care for vulnerable newborns and their families.

What field in OT makes the most money?

In occupational therapy, specialized fields such as hand therapy, neurorehabilitation, and pediatric therapy tend to offer higher salaries due to advanced skills and certifications. Neonatal occupational therapy, while rewarding, generally has lower earning potential compared to these specialized areas. Salary also depends on experience, location, and work setting.

How do you become a NICU OT?

To become a neonatal occupational therapist (NICU OT), you need to earn a master's or doctoral degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program, complete supervised clinical fieldwork, and obtain licensure in your state. Additional certification in neonatal or pediatric therapy can enhance qualifications, and experience working with infants in medical settings is valuable.
More about Neonatal Occupational Therapy jobs
What cities are hiring for Neonatal Occupational Therapy jobs? Cities with the most Neonatal Occupational Therapy job openings:
What states have the most Neonatal Occupational Therapy jobs? States with the most job openings for Neonatal Occupational Therapy jobs include:
Neonatal Occupational Therapy jobs near you
Infographic showing various Neonatal Occupational Therapy job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 9% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $83,451 per year, or $40.1 per hour.
Neonatal Occupational Therapist

Neonatal Occupational Therapist

University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM

$39 - $51.25/hr

Other

Posted 10 days ago

University Of New Mexico rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 54 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

70th of 555 rated colleges and universities

Job description

The Developmental Care Program has an exciting opportunity for an Occupational Therapist to join our team as a Neonatal Developmental Specialist and work in a collegial atmosphere and an inter-professional environment. We are a multidisciplinary team with an expertise in NICU developmental care and in the sequelae of medical diagnoses as they pertain to developmental outcomes for babies born preterm. Our team helps set the stage for how parents begin their parenting roles that can last a lifetime and we have a specialized focus on the family as the current and future "growers" and "nurturers" of the infants in our unit. Our practices are consistent with current evidence based knowledge.

The Neonatal Occupational Therapist will provide comprehensive developmental care services. These include needs assessment, treatment planning, and critical developmental therapy services to ill and/or developmentally high-risk newborns and families in a newborn intensive care environment, and at our follow up clinic. They will also design, develop, and manage developmental education and/or therapeutic programs, and provide consultation and training to NICU staff.

This position will require evenings, weekends and some holidays. 

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