It is a widely known fact that the demand for teletherapy has seen massive growth since the onset of the pandemic. Nationwide adoption of telehealth on modern platforms is stabilizing at levels unimaginable just over a year ago. At this juncture, it is important to understand teletherapy salary trends to craft out a flourishing career of your choice. So, how much do therapists make through online therapy?
Teletherapy Salary in 2021
Generic online counseling jobs typically pay a therapist hourly rate of $35-$45 after taxes.
This works out to therapist pay of around $80,000 per year at 40 hours per week. Based on our independent research and our contracts with telehealth providers, the average teletherapist prefers to limit themselves to several teletherapy sessions per week. However, many platforms have activity bonuses or other ways to increase efficiency for full-time providers.
Full-time teletherapists who dedicate themselves to an active platform frequently report making $100,000 per year. For instance, BetterHelp salary for therapists works out to an estimated annual income of $100,100. Up to $150,000 in billable hours is not unheard of.
More specialized apps for specific diagnoses, or apps that require some training to use, will generally pay more than all-purpose teletherapy apps. Specialized apps will have stricter hiring requirements.
How Are Teletherapists Paid?
Large teletherapy companies generally employ therapists under a 1099 arrangement. The benefit of this setup for therapists is that advertising, insurance, and most of the technical and preparatory work are taken care of in advance by the teletherapy platform. Under a 1099 contract, the provider is classified as an independent contractor instead of a full-time employee. This implies that you are responsible for paying the taxes on your salary.
To calculate what your final pay rate would be as a 1099 contractor, try taking 25% off of the stated teletherapy salary. A pay rate of $50 per hour would work out to $40 per hour in this estimate.
Where Can I Find Teletherapy Recruitment Bonuses?
Thanks to the rapid investments flowing into telehealth, recruitment bonuses for teletherapy have become common.
In the past, DirectShifts has been able to offer up to $700 to any therapist based on demand. Bonuses of $100 are more likely.
Recruitment bonuses vary, but you can look for virtual counseling jobs on DirectShifts or elsewhere.
Can Anyone Become A Teletherapist?
Teletherapy hiring requirements depend on the employer. You’ll generally need to be licensed to practice without supervision. A history of malpractice will also make it difficult to be hired. There are counseling jobs available for all clinical specialties – from LPCs and LMHCs to psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists.
How do you fund your own teletherapy practice?
A small business loan can help you get set up with your own teletherapy platform. If you’re looking to formally integrate a teletherapy platform into an existing business that you own – whether as part of the business or a separate brand – it’s easy to do.
Teletherapy provides a steady income stream to pay off student loans and ongoing practice costs. The advantage of consistent, flexible, low-pressure work can sustain the ebbs and flows of in-person practice. Teletherapy can be a great way for therapists to supplement their income.
DirectShifts has several teletherapy jobs available for therapists, counselors, psychiatrists, and social workers nationwide. Apply for jobs now for a fulfilling career in teletherapy.
