Child Therapist Salary in Oregon

In the state of Oregon, child therapists tend to bring home some of the higher end salaries across all professions. It's important to note, however, that while most child therapists will earn more than the average worker, not all of them are bringing in exceptionally large paychecks. There is, in fact, a wide range of salaries amongst different professionals in the field. A big part of the reason for this is because there are so many different jobs and types of positions available for qualified professionals in the state. Plus, there are a great many factors which will be discussed in depth later, that can have an impact on salary.

As mentioned above, the type of job a person does and where that job is done has a big effect on salary. Child therapists who earn the least in the state tend to be those who work in individual and family services. They bring in approximately $57,000 per year on average. Next in line are child therapists working in outpatient care centers, who can expect an average yearly salary of around $59,000. Child therapists working for Oregon state government in some capacity take home about $64,000 per year. Those working in the school system, either in elementary schools or secondary schools, bring home around $66,000 per year. Finally, the most well paid child therapists in the state tend to be those who own their own practices or who work in the practices of other professionals. Their annual salary is an average of about $68,000 per year.

Of course, the type of work you do as a child therapist isn't the only thing that has a bearing on salary. Many other factors like your level of education, the city in which you live and/or work, how long you have been at your current position, your years of experience in the field overall, how long you have been working at your current workplace in some capacity, and how you are paid (i.e. salaried or hourly) all have an impact on the amount of money you will bring home each year. Of course, everyone wants to make on the higher end of that earning spectrum whenever possible. That's why we've provided some tips that can help to boost your salary and have you earning your maximum potential. If you follow them, you'll be sure to see a raise in your pay in no time at all.

Tip #1: Education is Key

It's no secret that the higher your level of education, the more money you can make. Many people, however, don't realize how huge the difference in salary from one degree level to another is. Those who have only bachelor's degrees and who work more entry level positions in the field can earn as much as 50% less than those who have a master's degree. The bad thing about this is that master's degrees can be obtained in as little as one to three years after earning a bachelor's degree! The leap in earnings from those with master's degrees to those with doctorate degrees are not quite as big, but they can still make a difference! Even if you're not willing to commit to a full on degree program, just getting an extra certification or taking a few classes here and there can make a difference.

Tip # 2: Staying Power is Everything

Even if you don't have a fancy degree from a prestigious college or tons of certificates lining your wall, simply staying at a job and/or in a particular position for as long as possible can double your earnings! If you flit around from job to job carelessly, your resume will reflect this, and you'll not only have a harder time getting hired, but you'll also likely be the last choice for promotions and pay raises. If, however, you can do the same job for an extended period of time or even just stay with the same workplace, you'll likely see a small but significant raise in your pay each year. Plus, you'll always be thought of when promotion time comes around. These two small but all important tips can really make a difference in your life and, most importantly, in your paycheck!