Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Irvington, NJ: $73,875 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Irvington, NJ earns a median $73,875/year (≈ $35.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Irvington's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $64,128 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Irvington, New Jersey, can expect a median annual salary of $73,875 in 2026. This figure positions local pay slightly below the national median of $74,332, which reflects prevailing market conditions adjusted for regional cost factors. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $50,640 and experienced workers able to command up to $94,461. Estimations derived from 2025 BLS data indicate strong productivity expectations and visit counts which directly influence compensation levels, particularly in a community like Irvington where the demand for therapy services is steadily increasing.
About the Irvington Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,894 | $30.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,875 | $35.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,016 | $39.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,461 | $45.41 |
Median Salary Position
0.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Irvington
In Irvington, NJ, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,821 (2026 est.). At $73,875, the local median is 0.61% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Irvington: You'd be above the median
How Irvington Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Irvington median: $73,875/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Irvington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $74,097 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -0.61% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Irvington, NJ earn a median of $73,875 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.61% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.30% below the New Jersey state average of $74,097.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Irvington has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Irvington, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,875 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,128 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,132
2025 BLS Actual
$71,856
2026 Current Est.
$73,875
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Irvington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,132 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,553 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,351 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,855 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,598 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,255 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,856 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,875 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,951 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Irvington metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $61,132 (2019) to $71,856 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,951 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,819 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Irvington 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) | $50,640 – $63,894 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,894 – $73,875 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,875 – $83,016 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,016 – $94,461 |
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 Irvington
In Irvington, the local job market is characterized by a modest workforce of just 10 occupational therapy assistants, which suggests an intimate yet competitive landscape. The cost of living index of 115.2 highlights a higher living expense than the national average, impacting overall take-home pay for professionals in the field. While skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab centers generally offer the highest compensation, variables such as the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut have pressured pay scales, especially in outpatient settings. Productivity expectations vary widely based on the work environment, with weekend and PRN shifts often yielding higher pay. To maximize salary potential in Irvington, occupational therapy assistants should consider seeking opportunities in those higher-paying settings and negotiate for salaries that reflect their experience and any additional certifications, such as those offered through COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways.
More salary data for Irvington, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Irvington, NJ in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Irvington?
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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
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 $71,856 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Irvington 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 Irvington 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