Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Atlantic City, NJ: $71,566 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Atlantic City, NJ earns a median $71,566/year (≈ $34.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Atlantic City's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $62,123 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in Atlantic City, NJ, is $71,566 for 2026, which positions local professionals slightly below the national median of $74,332. Salary ranges reflect a varying market, with entry-level positions (10th percentile) earning around $55,136, while experienced practitioners (90th percentile) can reach up to $82,821. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted based on regional cost factors. The current economic landscape, influenced by post-Medicare reimbursement cuts, presents distinct challenges and opportunities depending on the work setting—skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, or hospitals. Occupational therapy assistants based in Atlantic City will need to be aware of this dynamic as they explore job options in the area.
About the Atlantic City Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,136 | $26.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,462 | $30.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,566 | $34.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,585 | $36.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,821 | $39.82 |
Median Salary Position
3.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlantic City
In Atlantic City, NJ, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,685 (2026 est.). At $71,566, the local median is 3.72% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Atlantic City: You'd be above the median
How Atlantic City Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Atlantic City median: $71,566/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlantic City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $74,162 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -3.72% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlantic City has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlantic City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $71,566 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,123 — a 13.19% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$59,221
2025 BLS Actual
$69,610
2026 Current Est.
$71,566
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,221 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,598 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,433 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,517 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,528 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,566 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,577 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlantic City metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $59,221 (2019) to $69,610 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,577 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,356 (24.24%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $55,136 – $63,462 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,462 – $71,566 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,566 – $75,585 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,585 – $82,821 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Atlantic City
With only six occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Atlantic City, the local job market appears tight yet poised for moderate growth, as indicated by an expected annual growth rate of 2.81%. The cost of living index in the area is 115.2, suggesting that living expenses are above the national average, which can impact take-home pay for those in the field. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings typically offer higher pay than skilled nursing facilities or school districts, particularly in light of the 15% Medicare cut affecting OTA services. Variations in compensation are driven by multiple factors, including staffing demands, weekend availability, and whether contracts run throughout the year or align with the school calendar. Professionals in this market may maximize their earnings by seeking positions in hospitals or outpatient clinics, emphasizing flexibility and readiness for varied work schedules to align with the needs of employers in Atlantic City, NJ.
More salary data for Atlantic City, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Atlantic City, NJ in 2026?
Is Atlantic City, NJ a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Atlantic City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Atlantic City?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Atlantic City?
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $69,610 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Atlantic City metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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