Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in New Jersey: $73,683 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $73,683/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $63,961 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jersey City ($76,246), Newark ($75,071), Camden ($74,615).

Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in New Jersey - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — New Jersey occupational therapy assistant salary overview (2026)

$73,683

Avg Median Salary

$35.42

Avg Hourly Rate

841

Metro Employed

Cities

In 2026, the average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in New Jersey is projected to be $73,683, slightly below the national median of $74,332 by about 0.9%. The pay scale varies significantly across the state, with Jersey City offering the highest average salary at $78,389, while Summit has the lowest at $69,079, creating a salary gap of $9,310. This discrepancy is largely influenced by the cost of living, demand for services, and local healthcare funding in different areas. New Jersey has specific licensing requirements for occupational therapy assistants, necessitating state certification and adherence to scope of practice laws, which can impact employment prospects and salary levels. There is a steady growth projected in this field, with a CAGR of 2.81% anticipated through 2026, showing a positive long-term outlook for job stability. For the top cities in New Jersey, Newark follows Jersey City with a salary of $77,180, Camden at $76,712, and both East Orange and Franklin at $75,149. The total number of employed occupational therapy assistants in the state is currently 841, reflecting a strong job market in this healthcare sector driven by an increasing demand for rehabilitation services.

New Jersey Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$52,528

avg across 61 cities

Median

$73,683

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$92,000

avg across 61 cities

Overall salary range in New Jersey: $49,663 (lowest entry-level) to $103,038 (highest top earner)

New Jersey vs National Average

New Jersey

$73,683

National Median

$74,332

New Jersey occupational therapy assistants earn 0.87% less than the national median ($-649/year difference).

New Jersey Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)

Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in New Jersey range from $52,528 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $92,000 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $73,683. The New Jersey median is $649 below the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $35.42/hr. Approximately 841 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 61 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$60,973

2025 BLS Actual

$71,669

2026 Current Est.

$73,683

2019–2027 Growth

+24.2%

Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in New Jersey (2019–2027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2019	$60,973	Actual
2020	$76,220	Actual
2021	$61,191	Actual
2022	$63,689	Actual
2023	$66,425	Actual
2024	$86,937	Actual
2025	$71,669	Actual
2026(current)	$73,683	Estimated
2027	$75,753	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $60,973 (2019) to $71,669 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,753 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,780 (24.24%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Jersey

Jersey City

42 employed · $37.69/hr

$78,389

+6.39% vs avg

Newark

61 employed · $37.10/hr

$77,180

+4.75% vs avg

Camden

16 employed · $36.88/hr

$76,712

+4.11% vs avg

East Orange

9 employed · $36.13/hr

$75,149

+1.99% vs avg

Franklin

15 employed · $36.13/hr

$75,149

+1.99% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Summit	$69,079	-6.25%	$33.21
Rahway	$70,122	-4.83%	$33.71
Evesham	$70,432	-4.41%	$33.87
Egg Harbor	$70,536	-4.27%	$33.91
Mount Laurel	$70,709	-4.04%	$34.00

Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in New Jersey

When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Jersey City	$78,389	115.2	$68,046
Newark	$77,180	115.2	$66,997
Camden	$76,712	115.2	$66,590
East Orange	$75,149	115.2	$65,234
Franklin	$75,149	115.2	$65,234

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$52,528	$25.25	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$73,683	$35.42	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$92,000	$44.23	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 61 Cities in New Jersey

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Jersey City	$78,389	$37.69	$52,198	$99,001	42
2	Newark	$77,180	$37.10	$49,851	$103,038	61
3	Camden	$76,712	$36.88	$55,050	$96,247	16
4	East Orange	$75,149	$36.13	$53,678	$91,424	9
5	Franklin	$75,149	$36.13	$53,678	$91,232	15
6	Woodbridge	$75,127	$36.12	$50,187	$97,737	25
7	Parsippany-Troy Hills	$75,019	$36.07	$50,878	$91,002	8
8	Union	$74,832	$35.97	$52,627	$90,393	15
9	Elizabeth	$74,805	$35.96	$55,031	$96,659	25
10	Brick	$74,650	$35.89	$52,204	$92,525	18
11	Gloucester Township	$74,439	$35.79	$51,712	$89,119	10
12	New Brunswick	$74,409	$35.78	$51,949	$91,547	8
13	Vineland	$74,286	$35.72	$51,664	$88,627	11
14	Howell	$74,163	$35.65	$51,378	$95,457	11
15	Paterson	$74,074	$35.61	$53,657	$94,239	31
16	Plainfield	$73,986	$35.57	$50,669	$95,064	10
17	Irvington	$73,875	$35.52	$50,640	$94,461	10
18	West New York	$73,763	$35.46	$50,384	$89,455	10
19	Piscataway	$73,711	$35.44	$50,339	$94,155	14
20	Jackson	$73,670	$35.42	$49,943	$89,341	10
21	Lakewood	$73,546	$35.36	$52,463	$95,248	31
22	West Orange	$73,504	$35.34	$53,914	$88,908	11
23	Montclair	$73,395	$35.28	$53,339	$86,144	10
24	Princeton	$73,331	$35.25	$53,496	$85,762	6
25	Washington Township	$73,280	$35.23	$53,062	$88,374	12
26	Old Bridge	$73,253	$35.22	$55,080	$92,469	17
27	Edison	$73,139	$35.16	$51,548	$93,719	20
28	Union City	$73,106	$35.15	$54,810	$92,178	17
29	Toms River	$73,082	$35.14	$54,756	$87,460	17
30	Bridgewater	$72,998	$35.10	$52,386	$84,897	10
31	Middletown	$72,977	$35.09	$54,508	$87,123	15
32	Trenton	$72,883	$35.04	$54,289	$94,113	21
33	Clifton	$72,753	$34.98	$53,988	$93,690	14
34	South Brunswick	$72,624	$34.91	$51,802	$90,774	7
35	Berkeley	$72,619	$34.91	$51,481	$90,756	7
36	Perth Amboy	$72,606	$34.90	$53,646	$90,561	13
37	Wayne	$72,584	$34.89	$53,592	$90,487	10
38	Linden	$72,573	$34.89	$51,678	$85,956	7
39	Passaic	$72,554	$34.88	$53,524	$93,038	18
40	East Brunswick	$72,526	$34.87	$51,569	$90,281	8
41	Bloomfield	$72,372	$34.79	$53,102	$89,806	11
42	Long Branch	$72,325	$34.77	$51,091	$89,816	8
43	Westfield	$72,123	$34.68	$50,312	$84,730	7
44	Hamilton	$72,049	$34.64	$52,284	$88,575	21
45	Sayreville	$72,026	$34.63	$50,386	$88,684	9
46	Cherry Hill	$72,014	$34.63	$51,983	$88,659	11
47	North Bergen	$71,885	$34.56	$51,981	$88,063	13
48	Hoboken	$71,820	$34.53	$49,663	$87,856	15
49	Kearny	$71,710	$34.47	$55,483	$87,639	11
50	Manalapan	$71,646	$34.44	$55,330	$87,483	8
51	Bayonne	$71,573	$34.41	$51,270	$89,868	16
52	Atlantic City	$71,566	$34.41	$55,136	$82,821	6
53	Manchester	$71,411	$34.33	$54,536	$89,446	9
54	Moorestown	$71,130	$34.19	$53,586	$80,744	4
55	Hackensack	$71,128	$34.19	$54,160	$85,857	8
56	Marlboro	$70,760	$34.02	$53,207	$84,710	9
57	Mount Laurel	$70,709	$34.00	$53,085	$84,550	11
58	Egg Harbor	$70,536	$33.91	$52,751	$84,190	8
59	Evesham	$70,432	$33.87	$52,506	$83,869	12
60	Rahway	$70,122	$33.71	$51,700	$85,175	9
61	Summit	$69,079	$33.21	$54,532	$81,252	5

More New Jersey Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in New Jersey cities.

Jersey City →Newark →Camden →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new occupational therapy assistants.

Jersey City →Newark →Camden →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Jersey City →Newark →Camden →

Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data

National OverviewMedian salary & full US data Entry-Level SalariesStarting pay & new grad earnings Hourly Pay RatesPer-hour rates & part-time income Highest Paying StatesTop states ranked by salary

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in New Jersey in 2026?

The average median occupational therapy assistant salary in New Jersey is $73,683/year across 61 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $69,079 in Summit to $78,389 in Jersey City. This makes New Jersey 0.87% below the national median of $74,332. The state employs approximately 841 occupational therapy assistants.

What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in New Jersey?

Jersey City offers the highest occupational therapy assistant salary in New Jersey at $78,389/year ($37.69/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Jersey City ($78,389), Newark ($77,180), Camden ($76,712). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for occupational therapy services, and competition among employers for licensed occupational therapy assistants.

How does New Jersey occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?

New Jersey's average occupational therapy assistant salary of $73,683 is 0.87% below the national median of $74,332 in 2026. The state employs approximately 841 occupational therapy assistants across 61 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in New Jersey?

Entry-level occupational therapy assistants (10th percentile) in New Jersey earn approximately $52,528/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $49,663 in lower-paying areas to $55,483 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in New Jersey?

New Jersey employs approximately 841 occupational therapy assistants across 61 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. The smaller workforce means positions may be less competitive but also fewer in number. Demand continues to grow as the occupational therapy field expands and the population ages.

Which New Jersey city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?

When adjusted for cost of living, Jersey City offers the highest purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants in New Jersey, with an adjusted salary of $68,046 (nominal: $78,389, CoL index: 115.2). This means your dollar goes 13% less far compared to the national average, making it important to negotiate higher base pay.

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

Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (2023–2025). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.

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

Last verified: June 10, 2026

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