Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Bloomfield, NJ: $34.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Bloomfield, NJ runs $34.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,372 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Bloomfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,419 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bloomfield, New Jersey, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $34.79, reflecting a slight decrement compared to the national median of $35.74. This rate can significantly benefit part-time and per-diem workers, who typically operate across various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics. For instance, a part-time occupational therapy assistant working three days a week could expect to earn about $1,000 per week, depending on the number of hours they are scheduled. Entry-level positions might start at around $25.53 per hour, while more experienced practitioners can reach up to $43.18 per hour. Such an hourly pay rate, derived from projected annual figures, holds potential not only for full-time COTAs but also for those seeking flexible scheduling options in Bloomfield.
About the Bloomfield 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) | $25.53 | $204.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.00 | $240.00 |
| Median (P50) | $34.79 | $278.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.24 | $305.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.18 | $345.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bloomfield
Based on $34.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.79/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bloomfield, NJ can expect to earn approximately $72,365 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,749. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bloomfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bloomfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,391.64 | $6,030 | $72,365 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $834.98 | $3,618 | $43,419 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $556.65 | $2,412 | $28,946 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Bloomfield) | $34.79 |
| 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 Bloomfield, NJ earn a median of $72,372 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.64% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.40% below the New Jersey state average of $74,152.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.79/hr = $43,419/year (purchasing power: $37,690).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,365/year (purchasing power: $62,817).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bloomfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Bloomfield grew 17.5% from $28.79/hr (2019) to $33.84/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.77/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 Bloomfield 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 Bloomfield
Evaluating the income potential for part-time occupational therapy assistants highlights a striking contrast in annual earnings compared to full-time positions. A COTA working 24 hours per week would net approximately $43,000 per year, a figure well below the full-time annual earnings. In Bloomfield, per diem occupational therapy assistant pay typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, with some travel contracts offering robust weekly stipends between $1,100 and $1,700. Hourly compensation can vary significantly across different employer types. Those working in skilled nursing facilities may see lower pay rates following Medicare cuts, while outpatient clinics or schools may offer more competitive wages. Occupational therapy assistants are often faced with a trade-off between securing higher pay and obtaining benefits; a lower hourly pay may come with employer-sponsored health insurance. For those negotiating their pay, understanding the local market and being transparent about the value they deliver is crucial in a city like Bloomfield, where every dollar counts.
More salary data for Bloomfield, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Bloomfield in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Bloomfield?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Bloomfield paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Bloomfield?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Bloomfield?
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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 Bloomfield. 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 Bloomfield 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