For Therapists / COTA
Travel COTA Jobs Across All 50 States
Travel COTAs earn $1,100 to $1,700 per week in 2026 with Gold Coast, and skilled nursing and home health pay at the top of that range, $1,300-$1,700 per week. Gold Coast Healthcare Staffing places certified occupational therapy assistants in travel and permanent positions nationwide, and every COTA receives free 1:1 mentorship, above-market pay, and the full support of a therapist-owned staffing agency.
Travel COTA assignments at a glance:
- Travel COTA pay of $1,100-$1,700 per week
- Positions in skilled nursing, home health, and outpatient
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for qualifying travelers
- Free 1:1 mentorship from a setting-specific clinician
- Travel, permanent, and per diem positions in all 50 states
- 98% on-time start rate with EMR training before day one
Therapist owned and operated, built by clinicians who traveled themselves.
Positions Available
What Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Positions Are Available?
Gold Coast Healthcare Staffing places certified occupational therapy assistants in travel, permanent, and per diem positions across all 50 states. Whether you are an experienced COTA looking for higher-paying travel assignments or a newer clinician searching for your next opportunity, we connect you with positions that match your skills and career goals.
Certified occupational therapy assistants are in high demand nationwide, particularly in skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. Gold Coast specializes in placing COTAs in settings where they can thrive, with competitive pay packages and the mentorship support that other agencies simply do not offer.
We are a therapist-owned and operated agency. Our founders are licensed clinicians with over 20 years of combined experience who have worked as travelers themselves. We understand the reality of your day-to-day practice, and we built this agency to give COTAs the support, transparency, and respect they deserve.
Browse all open positions or contact our team to get started.
Travel COTA Pay
How Much Do Travel Occupational Therapy Assistants Make?
Travel COTAs working with Gold Coast typically earn $1,100 to $1,700 per week. Compensation varies by clinical setting, geographic location, and assignment urgency, and Gold Coast provides transparent rate breakdowns before you accept any assignment. Packages include tax-free housing and meal stipends for qualifying travelers, which can meaningfully increase your overall take-home pay.
| Setting | Weekly Pay | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Nursing | $1,300-$1,700 | Highest demand and clinical responsibility |
| Home Health | $1,300-$1,700 | Strong rates from consistent demand |
| Outpatient | $1,100-$1,500 | Competitive pay, more structured schedule |
| Acute Care | $1,100-$1,500 | Competitive pay in a fast-paced setting |
Typical travel COTA pay ranges (2026). Rural and hard-to-staff locations often pay more.
Skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies tend to offer the strongest pay rates for COTAs due to consistent demand and the clinical responsibility these settings require. Outpatient and acute care assignments also offer competitive compensation with the benefit of more structured schedules.
Gold Coast is transparent about pay from day one. We do not use bait-and-switch tactics or vague promises. The compensation we discuss in your first conversation is the compensation you receive in your contract. Learn more about travel therapy compensation and benefits, or call (707) 908-9484 for a personalized rate breakdown.
Practice Settings
What Settings Can Occupational Therapy Assistants Work In?
Certified occupational therapy assistants work across a range of healthcare settings, implementing treatment plans developed by occupational therapists. Each setting offers a different clinical experience and patient population.
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Skilled nursing is the highest-demand setting for COTAs. You will work with residents on activities of daily living, functional mobility, fall prevention, and cognitive exercises. Skilled nursing offers consistent caseloads and the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with patients over the course of their recovery. Gold Coast mentor Dorothy Enomoto (OTR/L, MS in Occupational Therapy) specializes in skilled nursing and is available to guide you through documentation, productivity standards, and treatment planning.
Home Health
Home health COTAs provide treatment in patients' homes, focusing on functional independence, home safety, adaptive equipment, and caregiver education. This setting requires strong clinical judgment and the ability to work autonomously under occupational therapist supervision. Mentor Tiffany Simmons (OTR/L, MS in Occupational Therapy) specializes in home health and skilled nursing, offering direct support for therapists navigating this independent practice environment.
Outpatient Clinics
Outpatient settings focus on helping patients recover from injuries, surgeries, and chronic conditions. COTAs in outpatient clinics work on fine motor skills, therapeutic exercise, and functional task training with consistent schedules and predictable hours.
Acute Care Hospitals
Acute care assignments place COTAs in fast-paced hospital environments, working with patients in early recovery stages. Focus areas include functional mobility, self-care assessment, and discharge preparation.
Travel Therapy for COTAs
Can Occupational Therapy Assistants Do Travel Therapy?
Yes. Travel therapy is one of the fastest-growing career paths for certified occupational therapy assistants, and demand continues to increase across the country. Skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies are the primary drivers of travel COTA demand.
Many facilities in rural and underserved areas struggle to fill permanent positions, creating consistent opportunities for travelers who are willing to take short-term assignments in new locations. Gold Coast Healthcare Staffing makes travel accessible for COTAs at every experience level:
- Tell us your preferred clinical setting
- We pair you with an experienced occupational therapist who specializes in that setting, so you never walk into a new facility unprepared
- Your mentor provides EMR training and setting-specific preparation to ensure you are ready on day one
- You start on time, backed by dedicated support throughout your assignment
We maintain a 98% on-time start rate because we invest in our clinicians before they arrive at their assignments. Learn more about our free mentorship program or explore travel therapy opportunities.
OT vs OTA
What Is the Difference Between an Occupational Therapist and an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Occupational therapists and certified occupational therapy assistants work as a clinical team, but their roles are distinct. Occupational therapists hold a master's or doctoral degree and direct the overall course of care. COTAs hold an associate's degree and implement that care, often spending more hands-on time with patients than any other clinician.
| Occupational Therapist (OT) | Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) |
|---|---|
| Master's or doctoral degree | Associate's degree |
| Evaluates patients and establishes treatment goals | Works under the supervision of an occupational therapist |
| Develops individualized treatment plans | Implements the treatment plans the OT creates |
| Handles initial assessments, reassessments, and discharge planning | Provides direct patient care, documents sessions, reports progress |
Both roles are critical to patient outcomes, and both are in high demand across the country. Gold Coast Healthcare Staffing places occupational therapists and COTAs in travel, permanent, and per diem positions nationwide. If you are exploring the certified occupational therapy assistant path itself, our certified occupational therapy assistant career guide covers education, licensure, and day-to-day responsibilities. Learn about occupational therapist opportunities or browse all open positions.
Common Questions
Ready to Find Your Next COTA Assignment?
Gold Coast Healthcare Staffing has certified occupational therapy assistant positions available across all 50 states in travel, permanent, and per diem assignments. Every position includes access to our free mentorship program, competitive pay, and the dedicated support of a therapist-owned agency.
View all open COTA jobs and apply today. You can also contact our team directly to discuss your ideal assignment.
Ready to Start Traveling?
Browse our open positions, apply online, and we will match you with a mentor in your preferred clinical setting. Whether you are a new graduate or an experienced clinician, Gold Coast has travel COTA opportunities across all 50 states.