Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Paterson, NJ: $35.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Paterson, NJ runs $35.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,074 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Paterson's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,446 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Paterson, New Jersey, the projected occupational therapy assistant hourly pay for 2026 is set at $35.61, which is slightly below the national median of $35.74. This hourly rate is beneficial for those seeking part-time work or per-diem opportunities, particularly in environments such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, and outpatient clinics. With an hourly range from $25.80 for entry-level positions to $45.31 for the most experienced practitioners, COTAs can create flexible schedules that suit their lives. These rates reflect the demands of the profession, and they hold true for various practice settings, where hourly earnings are derived from annual salary estimates.
About the Paterson 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) | $25.80 | $206.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.53 | $244.28 |
| Median (P50) | $35.61 | $284.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.45 | $323.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.31 | $362.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Paterson
Based on $35.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.61/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Paterson, NJ can expect to earn approximately $74,076 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,736. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Paterson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Paterson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,424.54 | $6,173 | $74,076 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $854.72 | $3,704 | $44,446 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $569.81 | $2,469 | $29,630 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Paterson) | $35.61 |
| 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 Paterson, NJ earn a median of $74,074 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.35% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.10% below the New Jersey state average of $74,148.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.61/hr = $44,446/year (purchasing power: $38,581).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,076/year (purchasing power: $64,302).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Paterson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Paterson grew 17.5% from $29.47/hr (2019) to $34.64/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.61/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 Paterson 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 Paterson
Looking at the economic landscape for occupational therapy assistants in Paterson, part-time professionals working three days a week (about 24 hours) could realistically earn approximately $43,244 annually. In contrast, full-time positions typically command significantly higher overall incomes. For per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Paterson, billing rates commonly range from $30 to $45 per hour, making flexible work options appealing despite post-2022 cuts to reimbursements in skilled nursing facilities that may have dampened overall pay rates. Various employer types, including schools and home health agencies, offer differing wage structures; for instance, school district contracts may provide lower hourly pay coupled with health benefits, while outpatient clinics might offer higher rates without such perks. Understanding these dynamics and adopting negotiation strategies can empower COTAs to secure better pay while considering benefits, especially in the wake of shifts from the 15% Medicare cut that began affecting rates in 2022.
More salary data for Paterson, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Paterson in 2026?
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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 Paterson. 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 Paterson 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