OT Assistant Salary

Jersey City vs Woodbridge: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Jersey City, NJ
$78,389
$37.69/hr
Woodbridge, NJ
$75,127
$36.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJersey City, NJWoodbridge, NJ
Median Salary$78,389$75,127
Hourly Rate$37.69$36.12
Entry Level (P10)$52,198$50,187
25th Percentile$64,211$65,680
75th Percentile$86,423$84,943
Top Earner (P90)$99,001$97,737
Total Employed4225
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jersey City ($78,389) and Woodbridge ($75,127) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Jersey CityWoodbridgeMedian Salary$78,389$75,127Entry Level (P10)$52,198$50,187Top Earner (P90)$99,001$97,737US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Jersey City and Woodbridge is $3,262 (4.34%). 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,Woodbridge spans $47,550. Woodbridge has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Jersey City
P10 (Entry)$52,198
P25$64,211
Median$78,389
P75$86,423
P90 (Top)$99,001
Woodbridge
P10 (Entry)$50,187
P25$65,680
Median$75,127
P75$84,943
P90 (Top)$97,737

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jersey City ($68,046 effective) pays 4.34% more than Woodbridge ($65,214 effective).

Jersey City
Nominal: $78,389
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $68,046
Woodbridge
Nominal: $75,127
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $65,214

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 Woodbridge 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 Woodbridge over the same period.

Jersey City, NJ

+-16.9%

$91,726 (2024) → $76,246 (2025)

Woodbridge, NJ

+-17.6%

$88,735 (2024) → $73,074 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Jersey City or Woodbridge?

Jersey City has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $78,389/year, compared to Woodbridge at $75,127/year — a difference of $3,262 (4.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jersey City and Woodbridge?

Jersey City occupational therapy assistants earn $37.69/hr while Woodbridge hygienists earn $36.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jersey City to Woodbridge as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jersey City and Woodbridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jersey City = $68,046, Woodbridge = $65,214), job availability (42 vs 25 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Jersey City vs Woodbridge?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $52,198 in Jersey City and $50,187 in Woodbridge. 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