OT Assistant Salary

Jersey City vs Parsippany-Troy Hills: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Jersey City, NJ and Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jersey City, NJ
$78,389
$37.69/hr
Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
$75,019
$36.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJersey City, NJParsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Median Salary$78,389$75,019
Hourly Rate$37.69$36.07
Entry Level (P10)$52,198$50,878
25th Percentile$64,211$61,788
75th Percentile$86,423$81,176
Top Earner (P90)$99,001$91,002
Total Employed428
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jersey City ($78,389) and Parsippany-Troy Hills ($75,019) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Jersey CityParsippany-Troy HillsMedian Salary$78,389$75,019Entry Level (P10)$52,198$50,878Top Earner (P90)$99,001$91,002US Median $74,332

Verdict

Jersey City, NJ offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Parsippany-Troy Hills.

The salary gap between Jersey City and Parsippany-Troy Hills is $3,370 (4.49%). Jersey City's median is +5.46% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jersey City spans $46,803,Parsippany-Troy Hills spans $40,124. Jersey City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Jersey City
P10 (Entry)$52,198
P25$64,211
Median$78,389
P75$86,423
P90 (Top)$99,001
Parsippany-Troy Hills
P10 (Entry)$50,878
P25$61,788
Median$75,019
P75$81,176
P90 (Top)$91,002

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jersey City ($68,046 effective) pays 4.49% more than Parsippany-Troy Hills ($65,121 effective).

Jersey City
Nominal: $78,389
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $68,046
Parsippany-Troy Hills
Nominal: $75,019
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $65,121

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jersey City if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,389/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,001)
  • Larger job market (42 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,046)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Parsippany-Troy Hills if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Jersey City grew -16.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -17.6% growth in Parsippany-Troy Hills over the same period.

Jersey City, NJ

+-16.9%

$91,726 (2024) → $76,246 (2025)

Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ

+-17.6%

$88,608 (2024) → $72,969 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Jersey City or Parsippany-Troy Hills?

Jersey City has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $78,389/year, compared to Parsippany-Troy Hills at $75,019/year — a difference of $3,370 (4.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jersey City and Parsippany-Troy Hills?

Jersey City occupational therapy assistants earn $37.69/hr while Parsippany-Troy Hills hygienists earn $36.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jersey City to Parsippany-Troy Hills as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jersey City and Parsippany-Troy Hills. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jersey City = $68,046, Parsippany-Troy Hills = $65,121), job availability (42 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Jersey City vs Parsippany-Troy Hills?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $52,198 in Jersey City and $50,878 in Parsippany-Troy Hills. The Jersey City area offers higher starting salaries.
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