Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Brick, NJ: $35.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Brick, NJ runs $35.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,650 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Brick's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,792 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Brick, New Jersey, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $35.89, which is slightly above the national average of $35.74. This salary translates to an attractive financial proposition for both part-time and per-diem workers in typical healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, and outpatient clinics. For example, working just three days a week could yield a comfortable income, allowing those in this field to cater to various patient needs on more flexible schedules. With hourly earnings ranging from about $25.10 at entry-level positions to $44.49 for the highest earners, it’s clear that opportunities exist for advancement. These hourly figures are derived from annual salary estimates, providing significant insight into the earning potential for occupational therapy assistants in Brick.
About the Brick 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) | $25.10 | $200.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.12 | $240.99 |
| Median (P50) | $35.89 | $287.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.41 | $315.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.49 | $355.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brick
Based on $35.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.89/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brick, NJ can expect to earn approximately $74,653 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,069. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Brick.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brick
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,435.64 | $6,221 | $74,653 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $861.38 | $3,733 | $44,792 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $574.26 | $2,488 | $29,861 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Brick) | $35.89 |
| 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 Brick, NJ earn a median of $74,650 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.43% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.70% above the New Jersey state average of $74,131.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.89/hr = $44,792/year (purchasing power: $38,882).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,653/year (purchasing power: $64,803).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Brick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Brick grew 17.5% from $29.70/hr (2019) to $34.91/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.90/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 Brick 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 Brick
The earning potential for part-time occupational therapy assistants in Brick can be substantial, especially when considering a three-day workweek, which would provide about 24 hours of work. A part-time assistant could earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts annually, making it crucial to consider benefits and job stability when deciding between part-time and full-time roles. Per diem positions, meanwhile, generally allow for hourly rates between $30 to $45, with travel assignments paying much more, often ranging from $1,100 to $1,700 weekly. However, the decline in premium pay for SNF-based agency COTAs following the 2022 Medicare cuts has tightened pay scales in certain settings. While skilled nursing facilities often offer steady positions with benefits, outpatient clinics may provide higher wages at the cost of job security and healthcare perks. Understanding these dynamics is vital for negotiating contracts in Brick, as higher hourly rates might come with the trade-off of fewer or no benefits, making the overall compensation package an important consideration for occupational therapy assistants.
More salary data for Brick, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Brick in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Brick?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Brick paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Brick?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Brick?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 Brick. 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 Brick 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