OT Assistant Salary

Freeport vs Kiryas Joel: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Freeport, NY and Kiryas Joel, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Freeport, NY
$60,730
$29.20/hr
Kiryas Joel, NY
$73,653
$35.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFreeport, NYKiryas Joel, NY
Median Salary$60,730$73,653
Hourly Rate$29.20$35.41
Entry Level (P10)$45,016$49,657
25th Percentile$52,485$61,984
75th Percentile$65,059$78,002
Top Earner (P90)$72,014$81,703
Total Employed10110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Freeport ($60,730) and Kiryas Joel ($73,653) occupational therapy assistant salaries.FreeportKiryas JoelMedian Salary$60,730$73,653Entry Level (P10)$45,016$49,657Top Earner (P90)$72,014$81,703US Median $74,332

Verdict

Kiryas Joel, NY offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Freeport.

The salary gap between Freeport and Kiryas Joel is $12,923 (21.28%). Kiryas Joel's median is -0.91% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Freeport spans $26,998,Kiryas Joel spans $32,046. Kiryas Joel has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Freeport
P10 (Entry)$45,016
P25$52,485
Median$60,730
P75$65,059
P90 (Top)$72,014
Kiryas Joel
P10 (Entry)$49,657
P25$61,984
Median$73,653
P75$78,002
P90 (Top)$81,703

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kiryas Joel ($67,311 effective) pays 28.46% more than Freeport ($52,399 effective).

Freeport
Nominal: $60,730
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $52,399
Kiryas Joel
Nominal: $73,653
CoL Index: 109.422
Adjusted: $67,311

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Freeport if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Kiryas Joel if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,653/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,703)
  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,311)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Freeport grew -23.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.1% growth in Kiryas Joel over the same period.

Freeport, NY

+-23.2%

$76,886 (2024) → $59,070 (2025)

Kiryas Joel, NY

+14.1%

$62,780 (2024) → $71,640 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Freeport or Kiryas Joel?

Kiryas Joel has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $73,653/year, compared to Freeport at $60,730/year — a difference of $12,923 (21.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Freeport and Kiryas Joel?

Freeport occupational therapy assistants earn $29.20/hr while Kiryas Joel hygienists earn $35.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Freeport to Kiryas Joel as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Freeport and Kiryas Joel. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Freeport = $52,399, Kiryas Joel = $67,311), job availability (10 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Freeport vs Kiryas Joel?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $45,016 in Freeport and $49,657 in Kiryas Joel. The Kiryas Joel area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov