OT Assistant Salary

Naugatuck vs New Haven: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Naugatuck, CT and New Haven, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Naugatuck, CT
$71,947
$34.59/hr
New Haven, CT
$75,504
$36.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNaugatuck, CTNew Haven, CT
Median Salary$71,947$75,504
Hourly Rate$34.59$36.30
Entry Level (P10)$54,623$63,557
25th Percentile$61,535$64,709
75th Percentile$78,002$81,210
Top Earner (P90)$86,835$83,687
Total Employed8110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Naugatuck ($71,947) and New Haven ($75,504) occupational therapy assistant salaries.NaugatuckNew HavenMedian Salary$71,947$75,504Entry Level (P10)$54,623$63,557Top Earner (P90)$86,835$83,687US Median $74,332

Verdict

New Haven, CT offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Naugatuck.

The salary gap between Naugatuck and New Haven is $3,557 (4.94%). New Haven's median is +1.58% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Naugatuck spans $32,212,New Haven spans $20,130. Naugatuck has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Naugatuck
P10 (Entry)$54,623
P25$61,535
Median$71,947
P75$78,002
P90 (Top)$86,835
New Haven
P10 (Entry)$63,557
P25$64,709
Median$75,504
P75$81,210
P90 (Top)$83,687

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($72,212 effective) pays 8.30% more than Naugatuck ($66,679 effective).

Naugatuck
Nominal: $71,947
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $66,679
New Haven
Nominal: $75,504
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $72,212

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Naugatuck if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($86,835)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose New Haven if…

  • Higher median salary ($75,504/year)
  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,212)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Naugatuck grew -6.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 15.3% growth in New Haven over the same period.

Naugatuck, CT

+-6.0%

$74,444 (2024) → $69,981 (2025)

New Haven, CT

+15.3%

$63,680 (2019) → $73,440 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Naugatuck or New Haven?

New Haven has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $75,504/year, compared to Naugatuck at $71,947/year — a difference of $3,557 (4.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Naugatuck and New Haven?

Naugatuck occupational therapy assistants earn $34.59/hr while New Haven hygienists earn $36.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Naugatuck to New Haven as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Naugatuck and New Haven. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Naugatuck = $66,679, New Haven = $72,212), job availability (8 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Naugatuck vs New Haven?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $54,623 in Naugatuck and $63,557 in New Haven. The New Haven 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