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Activity Therapist Per Diem Salary in the United States

How much does an Activity Therapist Per Diem make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Activity Therapist Per Diem in the United States is $39,345 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

However, an Activity Therapist Per Diem's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $46,348
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $36,800 to $43,011
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $34,482
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Activity Therapist Per Diem Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Activity Therapist Per Diem Salaries

An Activity Therapist Per Diem's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Activity Therapist Per Diem Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Activity Therapist Per Diem's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $38,582
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $42,709
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $47,160
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $60,444
  • Expert (over 8 years): $67,864
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Activity Therapist Per Diem less than 1 year $38,582
Returns Clerk II 1-2 years $42,709
Returns Clerk III 2-4 years $47,160
Returns Supervisor 5-8 years $60,444
Returns Manager over 8 years $67,864

How Do Activity Therapist Per Diem Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Activity Therapist Per Diems. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $43,563.
  • California: $43,398.
  • Massachusetts: $42,819.

Top Paying Cities for Activity Therapist Per Diem

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $49,626
  • San Francisco: $49,083
  • Oakland: $48,048

Activity Therapist Per Diem Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Activity Therapist Per Diem roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Activity Therapist Per Diem positions in Aerospace & Defense or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Activity Therapist Per Diem as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Activity Therapist Per Diem

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $47,214 $23.0 20%

How Education impacts an Activity Therapist Per Diem's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Activity Therapist Per Diem professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Activity Therapist Per Diem with a high school is between $35,896 and $38,357.

Activity Therapist Per Diem Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Activity Therapist Per Diem
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 16.7%
High School 16.7%
Associate's Degree 0%
Bachelor's Degree 83.3%
Master's Degree or MBA 0%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%
View as Graph

Activity Therapist Per Diem Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Activity Therapist Per Diem's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$36,800
Average $39,345/year
$43,011
$3,067
Average $3,279/month
$3,584
$708
Average $757/week
$827
$18
Average $19/hour
$21
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $43,011 $3,584 $827 $21
Average $39,345 $3,279 $757 $19
25th Percentile $36,800 $3,067 $708 $18

Most common benefits for Activity Therapist Per Diem

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Activity Therapist Per Diem

Here are companies hiring for Activity Therapist Per Diem and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Activity Therapist Per Diem Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Activity Therapist Per Diem job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Critical Infrastructure Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

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    Field Service Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

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    Mechanical Field Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

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    Field Service Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

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  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    SVP Revenue Growth

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    5 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    Staff Accountant

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

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FAQ about Activity Therapist Per Diem

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Activity Therapist Per Diem?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Activity Therapist Per Diem roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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