OT Assistant Salary

New York vs White Plains: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

New York, NY
$77,066
$37.05/hr
White Plains, NY
$62,373
$29.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYWhite Plains, NY
Median Salary$77,066$62,373
Hourly Rate$37.05$29.99
Entry Level (P10)$54,345$45,462
25th Percentile$71,792$53,552
75th Percentile$82,176$69,767
Top Earner (P90)$91,542$76,859
Total Employed2,20011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($77,066) and White Plains ($62,373) occupational therapy assistant salaries.New YorkWhite PlainsMedian Salary$77,066$62,373Entry Level (P10)$54,345$45,462Top Earner (P90)$91,542$76,859US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between New York and White Plains is $14,693 (23.56%). 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,White Plains spans $31,397. 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
White Plains
P10 (Entry)$45,462
P25$53,552
Median$62,373
P75$69,767
P90 (Top)$76,859

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($68,465 effective) pays 27.22% more than White Plains ($53,816 effective).

New York
Nominal: $77,066
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $68,465
White Plains
Nominal: $62,373
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $53,816

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 White Plains 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 White Plains over the same period.

New York, NY

+6.1%

$70,670 (2019) → $74,960 (2025)

White Plains, NY

+-23.2%

$78,966 (2024) → $60,668 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

New York has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $77,066/year, compared to White Plains at $62,373/year — a difference of $14,693 (23.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and White Plains?

New York occupational therapy assistants earn $37.05/hr while White Plains hygienists earn $29.99/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and White Plains. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $68,465, White Plains = $53,816), job availability (2,200 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $54,345 in New York and $45,462 in White Plains. 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