OT Assistant Salary

Kiryas Joel vs Valley Stream: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Kiryas Joel, NY
$73,653
$35.41/hr
Valley Stream, NY
$62,196
$29.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKiryas Joel, NYValley Stream, NY
Median Salary$73,653$62,196
Hourly Rate$35.41$29.90
Entry Level (P10)$49,657$43,132
25th Percentile$61,984$55,540
75th Percentile$78,002$68,365
Top Earner (P90)$81,703$76,601
Total Employed11010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kiryas Joel ($73,653) and Valley Stream ($62,196) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Kiryas JoelValley StreamMedian Salary$73,653$62,196Entry Level (P10)$49,657$43,132Top Earner (P90)$81,703$76,601US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Kiryas Joel and Valley Stream is $11,457 (18.42%). 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 Kiryas Joel spans $32,046,Valley Stream spans $33,469. Valley Stream has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Kiryas Joel
P10 (Entry)$49,657
P25$61,984
Median$73,653
P75$78,002
P90 (Top)$81,703
Valley Stream
P10 (Entry)$43,132
P25$55,540
Median$62,196
P75$68,365
P90 (Top)$76,601

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kiryas Joel ($67,311 effective) pays 25.43% more than Valley Stream ($53,664 effective).

Kiryas Joel
Nominal: $73,653
CoL Index: 109.422
Adjusted: $67,311
Valley Stream
Nominal: $62,196
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $53,664

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Valley Stream if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Kiryas Joel, NY

+14.1%

$62,780 (2024) → $71,640 (2025)

Valley Stream, NY

+-23.2%

$78,743 (2024) → $60,496 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Kiryas Joel has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $73,653/year, compared to Valley Stream at $62,196/year — a difference of $11,457 (18.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kiryas Joel and Valley Stream?

Kiryas Joel occupational therapy assistants earn $35.41/hr while Valley Stream hygienists earn $29.90/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kiryas Joel and Valley Stream. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kiryas Joel = $67,311, Valley Stream = $53,664), job availability (110 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $49,657 in Kiryas Joel and $43,132 in Valley Stream. 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