OT Assistant Salary

New York vs Oneonta: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

New York, NY
$77,066
$37.05/hr
Oneonta, NY
$59,800
$28.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYOneonta, NY
Median Salary$77,066$59,800
Hourly Rate$37.05$28.75
Entry Level (P10)$54,345$47,086
25th Percentile$71,792$53,667
75th Percentile$82,176$64,162
Top Earner (P90)$91,542$70,491
Total Employed2,2005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($77,066) and Oneonta ($59,800) occupational therapy assistant salaries.New YorkOneontaMedian Salary$77,066$59,800Entry Level (P10)$54,345$47,086Top Earner (P90)$91,542$70,491US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between New York and Oneonta is $17,266 (28.87%). 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,Oneonta spans $23,405. 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
Oneonta
P10 (Entry)$47,086
P25$53,667
Median$59,800
P75$64,162
P90 (Top)$70,491

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($68,465 effective) pays 32.69% more than Oneonta ($51,596 effective).

New York
Nominal: $77,066
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $68,465
Oneonta
Nominal: $59,800
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $51,596

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 Oneonta 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 -23.2% growth in Oneonta over the same period.

New York, NY

+6.1%

$70,670 (2019) → $74,960 (2025)

Oneonta, NY

+-23.2%

$75,710 (2024) → $58,166 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: New York or Oneonta?

New York has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $77,066/year, compared to Oneonta at $59,800/year — a difference of $17,266 (28.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Oneonta?

New York occupational therapy assistants earn $37.05/hr while Oneonta hygienists earn $28.75/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Oneonta. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $68,465, job availability (2,200 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $54,345 in New York and $47,086 in Oneonta. 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