Activity Therapist Per Diem Salary in the United States

How much does an Activity Therapist Per Diem make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Activity Therapist Per Diem in the United States is $39,347 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): $46,353
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $36,799 to $43,014
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $34,480
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View as table View as graph 25% $36,799 10% $34,480 90% $46,353 75% $43,014 $39,347 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Activity Therapist Per Diem Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $43,014 $3,585 $827 $21
Average $39,347 $3,279 $757 $19
25th Percentile $36,799 $3,067 $708 $18
Check out Activity Therapist Per Diem Job Openings in the United States
Per Diem Occupational Therapist Assistant

OhioHealth - Shelby, OH

Per Diem Occupational Therapist Assistant

OhioHealth - Mansfield, OH

Registered or Certified Respiratory Therapist Per Diem

Henry County Hospital, Inc. - Napoleon, OH

Respiratory Therapist

Select Medical Holdings - Newark, OH

Search More Activity Therapist Per Diem Jobs 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): $38,583
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $42,711
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $47,163
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $60,439
  • Expert (over 8 years): $67,861
Levels Salary
Activity ... Level Activity Therapist Per Diem$38,583
Returns C... Level Activity Therapist Per Diem$42,711
Returns C... Level Activity Therapist Per Diem$47,163
Returns S... Level Activity Therapist Per Diem$60,439
Returns M... Level Activity Therapist Per Diem$67,861
$38,583 0 yr
$42,711 < 2 yrs
$47,163 2-4 yrs
$60,439 5-8 yrs
$67,861 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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: $43,565.
  • California: $43,400.
  • Massachusetts: $42,821.

Top Paying Cities for Activity Therapist Per Diems

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: $49,628
  • San Francisco: $49,085
  • Oakland: $48,050

What Skills Can Increase an Activity Therapist Per Diem's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 17.21% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.43% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Data Entry (Mentioned in 1.62% Job Postings): Transcribing information into an electronic medium such as a computer or other electronic device.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 17.21%
Microsoft Office 2.43%
Data Entry 1.62%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Activity Therapist Per Diem's salary.
  • Data Warehouse: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Safety Standards: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Returns Processing: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Data Warehouse
$46,429
18%
Safety Standards
$46,429
18%
Returns Processing
$44,855
14%
Customer Service
$41,708
6%
Integrity
$41,314
5%
Warehouse Management
$40,527
3%
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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$47,216$23.020%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Activity Therapist Per Diems enter the field with a No Diploma 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 No Diploma 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 Diploma 16.7%
High School 16.7%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 83.3%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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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.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Activity Therapist Per Diem

Salaries for an Activity Therapist Per Diem can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $40,002 in 2023 to around $39,309 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Activity Therapist Per Diem salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Activity Therapist Per Diem Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$40,002
2024
$39,627
2025
$39,309
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $40,002
2024 $39,627
2025 $39,309
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Activity Therapist Per Diem

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

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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.

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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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