Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Atlantic City, NJ: $34.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Atlantic City, NJ runs $34.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,566 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Atlantic City's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,944 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Atlantic City, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $34.41, which slightly lags behind the national hourly median of $35.74. This pay rate is significant for part-time workers, especially those who might choose to work three days a week or take on per-diem roles in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy environments, outpatient clinics, and for home health visits. For entry-level professionals, hourly wages can start around $26.50, while experienced assistants might earn up to $39.82 per hour. Keep in mind that these figures are based on projected data, reflecting the economic conditions and labor market in Atlantic City for 2026.
About the Atlantic City Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.50 | $212.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.51 | $244.11 |
| Median (P50) | $34.41 | $275.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.34 | $290.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.82 | $318.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Atlantic City
Based on $34.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.41/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Atlantic City, NJ can expect to earn approximately $71,574 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,293. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Atlantic City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Atlantic City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,376.42 | $5,964 | $71,574 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $825.85 | $3,579 | $42,944 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $550.57 | $2,386 | $28,630 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Atlantic City) | $34.41 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Atlantic City, NJ earn a median of $71,566 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.72% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.50% below the New Jersey state average of $74,162.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.41/hr = $42,944/year (purchasing power: $37,278).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,574/year (purchasing power: $62,130).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Atlantic City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Atlantic City grew 17.5% from $28.47/hr (2019) to $33.47/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.38/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlantic City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Atlantic City
Pay structures can vary greatly for occupational therapy assistants, particularly for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. A full-time occupational therapy assistant earning a steady hourly wage contrasts sharply with a part-time assistant working three days a week, who could expect to bring home approximately $44,060 annually, based on a 24-hour work week, compared to their full-time counterparts who benefit from a steady income. Per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Atlantic City typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, although those in travel positions may see weekly contracts varying from $1,100 to $1,700. Employment in skilled nursing facilities, hospital inpatient rehab, school districts, outpatient clinics, and early intervention programs can influence hourly rates, often requiring a compromise between higher wages without benefits and lower wages that offer health insurance. For those negotiating hourly pay, it may be beneficial to consider the overall compensation package and to stay informed about current market conditions, given the recent impacts of Medicare reimbursement changes on payment rates.
More salary data for Atlantic City, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Atlantic City in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Atlantic City?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Atlantic City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Atlantic City?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Atlantic City?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Atlantic City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Atlantic City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
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