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New Grad Occupational Therapy Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Occupational Therapist II

Chapel Hill, NC ยท On-site

$33.50 - $44/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Teaches & supervises graduate Occupational Therapy students, fellows and residents . Develops or ... Acts as clinical trainer for new employees hired into department as needed. Provides clinical ...

Occupational Therapist II

Chapel Hill, NC

$37 - $48.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Teaches & supervises graduate Occupational Therapy students, fellows and residents . Develops or ... Acts as clinical trainer for new employees hired into department as needed. Provides clinical ...

Occupational Therapist II

Chapel Hill, NC ยท On-site

$38.55 - $55.43/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Teaches & supervises graduate Occupational Therapy students, fellows and residents . Develops or ... Acts as clinical trainer for new employees hired into department as needed. Provides clinical ...

Occupational Therapist - Acute Care

Durham, NC ยท On-site

$36.50 - $48/hr

Serve as a resource person for the team and department; participates in orientation of new staff ... Understand the role of occupational therapy in the context of the patient's age, total needs ...

HOME CARE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST OT

Durham, NC ยท On-site

$36.50 - $48/hr

Conducts research and assists with orientation of new employees as needed. Job Requirements: * Minimum bachelor's degree in occupational therapy from an accredited school of occupational therapy ...

HOME CARE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST OT

Durham, NC ยท On-site

$36.50 - $48/hr

Conducts research and assists with orientation of new employees as needed. Job Requirements: * Minimum bachelor's degree in occupational therapy from an accredited school of occupational therapy ...

Showing results 41-60

New Grad Occupational Therapy information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$22

$44

$65

How much do new grad occupational therapy jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for new grad occupational therapy in Raleigh, NC is $44.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37.60 and $49.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a new grad occupational therapist?

New Grad Occupational Therapists are individuals who have recently completed their occupational therapy degree and have either just obtained or are in the process of obtaining their professional licensure. They are typically in their first year of practice and are gaining hands-on experience by working with patients to help them develop, recover, or maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. New grads often work under the guidance of more experienced therapists and participate in mentorship or orientation programs to transition smoothly into their careers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a new grad occupational therapist?

To thrive as a New Grad Occupational Therapist, you need a solid understanding of human anatomy, therapeutic techniques, and assessment skills, usually validated by a master's degree in occupational therapy and passing the NBCOT exam. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), standardized assessment tools, and documentation software is typically required. Strong interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and empathy are valuable soft skills that help build trust and motivate patients. These competencies ensure that new graduates can deliver effective, patient-centered care and adapt to diverse clinical environments.

What types of support and mentorship are typically available to new grad occupational therapists during their first year on the job?

New grad occupational therapists often receive structured support through formal mentorship programs, regular supervision sessions, and peer collaboration. Many employers pair new graduates with experienced OTs who provide guidance on caseload management, documentation, and clinical decision-making. Additionally, new grads may participate in orientation programs and continuing education workshops to further develop their skills. This supportive environment helps ease the transition from academic training to independent practice and fosters professional growth.

What is the difference between New Grad Occupational Therapy vs Occupational Therapist?

AspectNew Grad Occupational TherapyOccupational Therapist
CredentialsMaster's degree in Occupational Therapy, passing the NBCOT exam, state licensureMaster's or Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, licensed and certified
Work EnvironmentEntry-level settings such as hospitals, schools, outpatient clinicsVaried settings including hospitals, rehab centers, schools, private practices
ExperienceLess than 1 year, supervised or mentoredTypically 1+ years of experience, independent practice

In summary, New Grad Occupational Therapists are recent graduates beginning their careers with supervision, while Occupational Therapists have more experience and independence. Both roles require similar credentials, but experience level and responsibilities differ.

Can you start as a new graduate occupational therapist as soon as you graduate with a master's?

New graduate occupational therapists can typically begin working once they have completed their master's degree and obtained the necessary licensure or certification required by their region. Most employers require proof of graduation and licensure before employment, and some may offer supervised or entry-level positions to new graduates. Licensing exams are usually scheduled after graduation and are essential for independent practice.

How much do new graduate occupational therapists make after grad school?

New graduate occupational therapists typically earn between $55,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on location, setting, and workload. Entry-level salaries may vary based on state licensure requirements and demand for healthcare professionals in the area.

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for New Grad Occupational Therapy jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most New Grad Occupational Therapy job openings:

Infographic showing various New Grad Occupational Therapy job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 62% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,735 per year, or $44.1 per hour.

Occupational Therapist II

UNC Health

Chapel Hill, NC โ€ข On-site

$33.50 - $44/hr

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

Description Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 teammates, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve. UNC Hospitals Rehabilitation Services is accepting applications for a full-time Acute Care Occupational Therapist II position. Supporting our Enhanced Rehabilitation program in the acute hospital setting, the OT II will provide comprehensive consultations and therapeutic interventions to a diverse patient population with varying acuity levels. This person will collaborate directly with the interdisciplinary team to provide exceptional patient-centered care, facilitating functional improvement and discharge planning throughout care transitions. The selected candidate will serve as a stakeholder, assisting in the implementation and sustainment of unit-based care team models to optimize patient care outcomes and best practices. Excellent time management and communication skills are required for this fast-paced environment; clinical experience in acute care is strongly preferred. A strong work ethic and growth-oriented mindset are essential characteristics for interested applicants. Why UNCH?UNC Hospital has been recognized as a leader in patient experience, providing evidence-based care to patients from a broad geographic area throughout North Carolina. The hospital offers extensive employee incentives, which include competitive benefits and PTO accrual, health reimbursement arrangements, employee discounts, well-being programs, employee assistance programs, tuition reimbursement, legal planning, and retirement planning. Additionally, teammates will receive comprehensive orientation and mentoring, continuing education and specialty certification funds, professional development opportunities, and more. Responsibilities: 1. Diagnostic Testing : Administer basic & complex diagnostic testing and evaluations in the area of Occupational Therapy. Performs as an expert in this competency area, providing specialty education at the graduate and doctoral levels as appropriate. 2. Education: Teaches & supervises graduate Occupational Therapy students, fellows and residents . Develops or contributes to innovative programs to enhance patient care. Serves as resource consultant to other clinicians in respective specialty area. Provides specialty education at the graduate and doctoral levels as appropriate. Acts as clinical trainer for new employees hired into department as needed. Provides clinical supervision and teaching for multiple students and/or staff. Plans orientation, caseload, and other learning activities. Provides regular feedback and coaching. 3. Evaluation of Care: Analyzes results of diagnostic and or therapeutic testing to establish patient goals and or modify subsequent treatment programs. Identifies expected patient outcomes. Communicates relevant information to promote continuity of care. Performs as an expert in this competency area, providing specialty education at the graduate and doctoral levels as appropriate. 4. Implementation: Selects and applies advanced techniques to provide quality and efficient rehabilitative services. Organizes and prioritizes care according to patient/family needs. Performs as an expert in this competency area, providing specialty education at the graduate and doctoral levels as appropriate. 5. Outreach/Community Involvement: Serve as consultant to North Carolina government departments and statewide health professionals in specialty areas. Presents at state or national conferences, participates in community health screening and events. Develops new clinical programs to meet emerging needs. 6. Participation: Contributes to quality of clinical services through attendance and participation in departmental meetings and inservices. Attends staff meetings, huddles etc. and consistently contributes to relevant discussions, acting to lead meetings as needed. 7. Quality: Contributes to quality of clinical services through maintenance of valid & reliable records of patient procedures & progress. Takes the lead in continuous quality improvement efforts in conjunction with the department director. 8. Research: Conducts evidence-based practices reviews for service area and supports clinical research activities. May contribute to or author publications. Participates in research-based committees and may conduct ongoing research to improve the clinical profession. Supports development of EBP for the department by leading Journal Clubs, Special Interest Group discussions and protocol update reviews. Other Information Other information: Education Requirements: โ— Graduation from an accredited Occupational Therapy program. Licensure/Certification Requirements: โ— Licensed as an Occupational Therapist in the state of North Carolina. Professional Experience Requirements: โ— Five (5) years of occupational therapy experience including one (1) year in the specialty field of work to which assigned. Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements: Job Details Legal Employer: STATE Entity: UNC Medical Center Organization Unit: Occupational Therapy Work Type: Full Time Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00 Salary Range: $38.55 - $55.43 per hour (Hiring Range) Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity Work Assignment Type: Onsite Work Schedule: Day Job Location of Job: US:NC:Chapel Hill Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: Yes This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.