OT Assistant Salary

Union City vs Vineland: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Union City, NJ and Vineland, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Union City, NJ
$73,106
$35.15/hr
Vineland, NJ
$74,286
$35.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricUnion City, NJVineland, NJ
Median Salary$73,106$74,286
Hourly Rate$35.15$35.72
Entry Level (P10)$54,810$51,664
25th Percentile$63,911$61,918
75th Percentile$81,204$79,492
Top Earner (P90)$92,178$88,627
Total Employed1711
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Union City ($73,106) and Vineland ($74,286) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Union CityVinelandMedian Salary$73,106$74,286Entry Level (P10)$54,810$51,664Top Earner (P90)$92,178$88,627US Median $74,332

Verdict

Union City and Vineland are closely matched on overall occupational therapy assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Union City and Vineland is $1,180 (1.61%). Vineland's median is -0.06% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Union City spans $37,368,Vineland spans $36,963. Union City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Union City
P10 (Entry)$54,810
P25$63,911
Median$73,106
P75$81,204
P90 (Top)$92,178
Vineland
P10 (Entry)$51,664
P25$61,918
Median$74,286
P75$79,492
P90 (Top)$88,627

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vineland ($64,484 effective) pays 1.61% more than Union City ($63,460 effective).

Union City
Nominal: $73,106
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $63,460
Vineland
Nominal: $74,286
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $64,484

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Union City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($92,178)
  • Larger job market (17 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Vineland if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,286/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,484)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Union City grew -17.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -5.2% growth in Vineland over the same period.

Union City, NJ

+-17.6%

$86,347 (2024) → $71,108 (2025)

Vineland, NJ

+-5.2%

$76,220 (2020) → $72,256 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Union City or Vineland?

Vineland has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $74,286/year, compared to Union City at $73,106/year — a difference of $1,180 (1.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Union City and Vineland?

Union City occupational therapy assistants earn $35.15/hr while Vineland hygienists earn $35.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Union City to Vineland as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Union City and Vineland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Union City = $63,460, Vineland = $64,484), job availability (17 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Union City vs Vineland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $54,810 in Union City and $51,664 in Vineland. The Union City 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