OT Assistant Salary

New York vs Kiryas Joel: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

New York, NY
$77,066
$37.05/hr
Kiryas Joel, NY
$73,653
$35.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYKiryas Joel, NY
Median Salary$77,066$73,653
Hourly Rate$37.05$35.41
Entry Level (P10)$54,345$49,657
25th Percentile$71,792$61,984
75th Percentile$82,176$78,002
Top Earner (P90)$91,542$81,703
Total Employed2,200110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($77,066) and Kiryas Joel ($73,653) occupational therapy assistant salaries.New YorkKiryas JoelMedian Salary$77,066$73,653Entry Level (P10)$54,345$49,657Top Earner (P90)$91,542$81,703US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between New York and Kiryas Joel is $3,413 (4.63%). New York's median is +3.68% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New York spans $37,197,Kiryas Joel spans $32,046. New York has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New York
P10 (Entry)$54,345
P25$71,792
Median$77,066
P75$82,176
P90 (Top)$91,542
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, New York ($68,465 effective) pays 1.71% more than Kiryas Joel ($67,311 effective).

New York
Nominal: $77,066
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $68,465
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 New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,066/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,542)
  • Larger job market (2,200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,465)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Kiryas Joel 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 New York grew 6.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.1% growth in Kiryas Joel over the same period.

New York, NY

+6.1%

$70,670 (2019) → $74,960 (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: New York or Kiryas Joel?

New York has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $77,066/year, compared to Kiryas Joel at $73,653/year — a difference of $3,413 (4.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Kiryas Joel?

New York occupational therapy assistants earn $37.05/hr while Kiryas Joel hygienists earn $35.41/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Kiryas Joel. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $68,465, Kiryas Joel = $67,311), job availability (2,200 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $54,345 in New York and $49,657 in Kiryas Joel. The New York 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