Therapy recruiting · Washington
Washington physical therapy, OT and SLP recruiters
APT Recruiting fills PT, OT, SLP and audiology roles for hospitals, skilled nursing, home health, outpatient clinics and schools in Washington. Below is the current federal picture of the Washington therapy workforce, what it is paid, where it works and how licensing across state lines applies, the same numbers we use when we take a search.
Therapy workforce
Who practices in Washington today
7,596
Physical therapists
+ 1,411 PTAs
3,129
Occupational therapists
+ 836 OTAs
4,121
Speech-language pathologists
611
Audiologists
Per 100,000 residents, Washington has 94.9 physical therapists, 39.1 occupational therapists, 51.5 speech-language pathologists and 7.6 audiologists.
Over the last 12 months the registry added 322 physical therapists, 102 occupational therapists, 169 speech-language pathologists and 25 audiologists with a practice address in Washington, plus 77 PTAs and OTAs. Newly enumerated providers are mostly new graduates and clinicians relocating in, which is the pool every open seat in Washington is competing for.
Source: NPPES monthly file, October 2026 (CMS, public domain).
Pay
What therapists earn in Washington
| Role | Employed | Mean annual wage | Median | National mean |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical therapists | 5,370 | $108,550 | $105,950 | $105,280 |
| Physical therapist assistants | 2,150 | $65,090 | $66,450 | $68,730 |
| Occupational therapists | 3,340 | $110,100 | $107,670 | $101,280 |
| Occupational therapy assistants | 720 | $76,310 | $77,590 | $70,710 |
| Speech-language pathologists | 3,570 | $107,610 | $105,550 | $98,170 |
| Audiologists | 320 | $109,710 | $108,580 | $97,740 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 estimates. Suppressed cells show n/a.
Where therapists work
The employers in Washington
Therapy offices and clinics
Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists and audiologists.
10,557 employed across 978 establishments.
Average weekly wage $1,212, about $63,024 a year in sector payroll terms.
Home health
Home health care services.
16,762 employed across 560 establishments.
Average weekly wage $1,030, about $53,560 a year in sector payroll terms.
Nursing facilities
Skilled nursing and nursing care facilities.
22,108 employed across 268 establishments.
Average weekly wage $1,205, about $62,660 a year in sector payroll terms.
Hospitals
General medical and surgical hospitals.
93,400 employed across 153 establishments.
Average weekly wage $2,093, about $108,836 a year in sector payroll terms.
Source: BLS QCEW, statewide, private ownership, Q4 2024 vs Q4 2025.
Facilities
193 Medicare-certified nursing homes and 74 home health agencies in Washington.
Nursing homes
193 facilities with 18,781 certified beds. Average overall CMS star rating 3.3 of 5. 79.3% are for-profit. Every one of them bills therapy minutes, and every one of them is hiring PTs, OTs and SLPs in the same market you are.
Home health agencies
74 agencies, average quality-of-care star rating 3.6 of 5. 98.5% offer physical therapy, 93.9% occupational therapy and 86.4% speech therapy, so most are staffing at least one therapy discipline and many all three.
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (nursing homes 4pq5-n9py, home health 6jpm-sxkc), pulled 2026-10-15.
Tell us about the openingLicensure compacts
Hiring across state lines into Washington
Issuing privileges
Physical Therapy Compact
Washington is a PT Compact member and is issuing compact privileges: physical therapists and physical therapist assistants licensed in another member state can obtain a privilege to practice in Washington without applying for a new state license.
All states on the PT Compact →Member, not yet issuing
Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact
Washington has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Washington license for now.
All states on the OT Compact →Member, not yet issuing
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact
Washington has enacted the ASLP-IC but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so audiologists and speech-language pathologists licensed elsewhere still need a Washington license for now.
All states on the ASLP-IC →Source: ptcompact.org, otcompact.gov, aslpcompact.com, checked 2026-09-02.
For employers
Hiring in Washington? Physical therapy, OT and SLP recruiting, run by a clinician.
Engagement model
Contingency recruiting. There is no fee unless a successful placement is made.
Speed to first candidates
Clients typically receive the first vetted candidates within one to two weeks of providing the recruiting brief and search requirements.
Guarantee
Every direct-hire placement carries a 90-day replacement guarantee. If the candidate resigns or is terminated for cause during the first ninety calendar days of employment, APT Recruiting immediately begins a one-time search for a replacement in the same position, at no additional charge.
Questions hiring managers and directors of rehab ask us
How does a therapy search with APT Recruiting work in Washington?+
It starts with a short call to take the brief: the discipline, the setting, the caseload and productivity expectations, the schedule and the pay range. Because APT is run by a licensed speech-language pathologist, the screen covers clinical fit, not just a license check. We then work the Washington market for PTs, OTs, SLPs or audiologists who match, confirm interest, and send you candidates who have already said yes to a conversation about your organization. Clients typically receive the first vetted candidates within one to two weeks of providing the recruiting brief and search requirements.
Do you work on contingency or retained?+
Contingency recruiting. There is no fee unless a successful placement is made.
What does it cost to hire through a therapy recruiter?+
Agreed in writing before you see a candidate's details. Every direct-hire placement carries a 90-day replacement guarantee. If the candidate resigns or is terminated for cause during the first ninety calendar days of employment, APT Recruiting immediately begins a one-time search for a replacement in the same position, at no additional charge.
Which roles and settings do you cover?+
Physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and audiologists, including PTAs, COTAs and SLPAs, plus directors of rehab and other therapy leadership. Settings in Washington include hospitals and acute rehab, skilled nursing, home health, outpatient clinics, schools and pediatrics, and telehealth. We also recruit nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Or email molly@aptrecruiting.com. Molly reads every brief herself.
Reviewed by a licensed SLP
Molly Salinas, M.S., CCC-SLP
The Washington figures on this page are drawn from public federal sources and reviewed by Molly, a licensed speech-language pathologist who has worked across healthcare settings and founded APT Recruiting. She has recruited therapists for 3 years and works from Austin, Texas. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.
Metros
Therapy recruiting by metro in Washington
Hiring in Washington?
Tell us the discipline, the setting and the pay range. We will give you an honest read on the market before the search starts.