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Play Therapy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Roots To Grow

$40 - $50/hr

Provide expressive therapy interventions (art, music, play) tailored to the unique needs of children and families receiving palliative care services. * Develop individualized care plans that align ...

Go Play Therapy

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Registered Occupational Therapist

Fort Payne, AL · On-site

"Go Play has a great team of Speech and Occupational Therapist! One thing I love about this clinic is the ability to collaborate with other therapists!" -KF-SLP Expectation include: * Evaluate ...

Project Play Therapy

Special Education Teacher

Nashville, TN · On-site

$48K - $63K/yr

Be Part of Our Village The Special Education Teacher position is a direct impact position at Project Play Therapy that plays a pivotal role in helping students reach their fullest potential by ...

Go Play Therapy

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Registered Occupational Therapist

Fort Payne, AL · On-site

"Go Play has a great team of Speech and Occupational Therapist! One thing I love about this clinic is the ability to collaborate with other therapists!" -KF-SLP Expectation include: * Evaluate ...

Project Play Therapy

School Psychologist

Nashville, TN · Hybrid

Be Part of Our Village The School Psychologist position is a direct impact position at Project Play Therapy whose focus is to facilitate quality service delivery for our school partners and families.

Project Play Therapy

Special Education Teacher

Nashville, TN · On-site

$48K - $63K/yr

Be Part of Our Village The Special Education Teacher position is a direct impact position at Project Play Therapy that plays a pivotal role in helping students reach their fullest potential by ...

Go Play Therapy

Be Seen First

Registered Occupational Therapist

Fort Payne, AL · On-site

"Go Play has a great team of Speech and Occupational Therapist! One thing I love about this clinic is the ability to collaborate with other therapists!" -KF-SLP Expectation include: * Evaluate ...

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Play Therapy information

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$11

$17

$24

How much do play therapy jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for play therapy in the United States is $17.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $19.71 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Play Therapist, you need a background in psychology, counseling, or social work—often with a relevant master's degree and licensure as a counselor or therapist. Familiarity with play therapy techniques, assessment tools, and documentation systems is typically required, and certification from organizations like the Association for Play Therapy is highly valued. Strong communication, patience, and the ability to build rapport with children and families are essential soft skills. These qualifications and skills ensure effective therapeutic outcomes by fostering trust, appropriate intervention, and a supportive environment for child clients.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

Play therapists typically do not earn $2000 a day; such high daily rates are usually associated with specialized consulting, executive coaching, or high-level medical professionals. Most roles in play therapy are salaried or hourly positions with lower daily earnings, though experienced or private practitioners may charge higher session fees. Achieving $2000 a day generally requires advanced credentials, extensive experience, or operating a private practice in a high-demand niche.

What are some common challenges faced by play therapists when working with children from diverse backgrounds?

Play therapists often encounter challenges such as language barriers, cultural differences in expressing emotions, and varying family expectations about therapy. To address these, therapists need to adapt their approaches by incorporating culturally relevant toys, being sensitive to nonverbal communication styles, and building trust with both the child and their family. Continuous professional development and cultural competence training are essential for providing effective, empathetic care and ensuring that each child's unique background is respected throughout the therapeutic process.

What is the difference between Play Therapy vs Child Psychologist?

AspectPlay TherapyChild Psychologist
Required CredentialsRegistered Play Therapist, Master's or Doctoral degree in counseling or related fieldDoctoral degree (PhD or PsyD), license to practice psychology
Work EnvironmentPrivate practice, clinics, schools, hospitalsPrivate practice, hospitals, schools, research settings
Industry UsageSpecialized mental health therapy for children using play-based techniquesAssessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health issues in children and adolescents

Play Therapy focuses on using play to help children express emotions and resolve issues, often requiring specific certifications like Registered Play Therapist. Child Psychologists have a broader scope, including diagnosis and therapy, with advanced degrees and licensing. Both roles work in similar environments but serve different functions in child mental health care.

What is play therapy?

Play therapy is a form of counseling or psychotherapy that uses play as a way for children to express their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. By engaging in play, children can communicate in a natural way and work through emotional or psychological challenges with the guidance of a trained therapist. Play therapy is often used to help children cope with issues such as trauma, anxiety, behavioral problems, or family changes. The therapist uses toys, games, art, and storytelling to help the child process their emotions.

What jobs pay 10,000 a month without a degree?

Play therapy is a specialized field that typically requires a degree and certification, so earning $10,000 a month without formal education is unlikely. However, in other high-paying fields such as sales, real estate, or entrepreneurship, individuals can reach that income level through skills, experience, and business success without a traditional degree. These roles often involve self-employment, commission-based pay, or building a client base.

Is play therapy in high demand?

Play therapy is in increasing demand as awareness of mental health and childhood development grows. Licensed play therapists are sought after in schools, clinics, and private practices, often requiring specialized training and certification. The field is expected to expand as more families seek alternative therapeutic approaches for children.

Is becoming a play therapist worth it?

Becoming a play therapist can be a rewarding career for those interested in helping children through therapeutic play techniques. It typically requires a relevant degree, certification, and strong interpersonal skills, with job opportunities in schools, clinics, and private practice. The profession offers the chance to make a positive impact on children's mental health and development.
More about Play Therapy jobs
What cities are hiring for Play Therapy jobs? Cities with the most Play Therapy job openings:
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Play Therapy jobs near you
Infographic showing various Play Therapy job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 39% Full Time, 50% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $36,101 per year, or $17.4 per hour.

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Childs Play Therapy services

Pleasanton, CA • On-site

$91K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

About Childs Play Therapy


Child's Play Therapy Services, PC, is an award-winning multidisciplinary pediatric clinic located in downtown Lafayette, CA. Our state-of-the-art facility provides occupational, speech therapy, and feeding therapy to children from birth to adolescence. We are dedicated to helping children build the skills needed for successful relationships and a positive sense of self.


An essential part of our mission is to provide a close-knit and supportive work family for our team. We do this through mentoring, clinical education, cross-disciplinary collaboration and training, as well as planned social gatherings for team building, and play!


We provide treatment for children with a range of diagnoses, including but not limited to sensory processing disorders, learning disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental delays, and genetic disorders.


If you are passionate about helping children and making a real difference in their lives, you will love it here, and we would love to have you!


Benefits for our Pediatric Occupational Therapist:

  • Competitive up salary package starting between $93,500 -110K annually based on experience
  • Flexible alternative work schedule
  • Multiple options for Medical, Vision and Dental insurance
  • Flex Spending Account
  • 401k with company match at 4% max & discretionary profit sharing up to 5% of total compensation
  • Paid Continuing Education & paid time off for completion
  • Competitive PTO package, including company-observed holidays

Expertise Requirements for our Pediatric Occupational Therapist:

  • Certification and/or Registration: Registration with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Licensed by the California Board of Occupational Therapy (CBOT)
  • One or more years of clinical experience in a pediatric therapy setting.

Responsibilities and measurables for our Pediatric Occupational Therapist include:

  • Conduct in-depth patient evaluations, develop treatment plans, document evaluation results, and follow up on termination of services.
  • Maintain thorough, up-to-date treatment notes and goal data on each child.
  • As needed, develop home programs for children demonstrating developmental strategies for perceptual, motor, and sensory improvement.
  • Provide direction, training, and assistance to interns and volunteers assigned to the occupational therapy program.
  • Attend staff and in-service meetings, with the opportunity to occasionally lead a portion of the in-service training.
  • Physical Demands may include: Moderate physical effort (lift/carry/push up to 25 lbs), standing/walking, occasionally lifts supplies and/or equipment, occasional reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching, manual dexterity and mobility.