Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Perth Amboy, NJ: $72,606 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Perth Amboy, NJ earns a median $72,606/year (≈ $34.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Perth Amboy's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $63,026 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, can expect a median annual salary of $72,606 in 2026, which is slightly below the national figure of $74,332. The local pay range varies significantly, with earnings projected between $53,646 at the 10th percentile and $90,561 at the 90th percentile. These salary levels reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, and indicative of the ongoing impact of the Medicare cuts on services provided in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient clinics. Given this context, the job market for occupational therapy assistants—while stable—reveals a nuanced divide between employment sectors like hospitals, schools, and SNFs, each affected differently by reimbursement changes and productivity expectations.
About the Perth Amboy Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,646 | $25.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,882 | $30.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,606 | $34.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,057 | $38.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,561 | $43.54 |
Median Salary Position
2.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Perth Amboy
In Perth Amboy, NJ, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,915 (2026 est.). At $72,606, the local median is 2.32% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Perth Amboy: You'd be above the median
How Perth Amboy Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Perth Amboy median: $72,606/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Perth Amboy Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $74,088 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -2.32% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Perth Amboy, NJ earn a median of $72,606 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.32% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.00% below the New Jersey state average of $74,088.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Perth Amboy has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Perth Amboy, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $72,606 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,026 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,082
2025 BLS Actual
$70,622
2026 Current Est.
$72,606
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Perth Amboy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,082 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,479 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,297 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,759 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,455 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,758 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,622 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,606 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,647 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Perth Amboy metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $60,082 (2019) to $70,622 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,647 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,565 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Perth Amboy 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) | $53,646 – $62,882 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,882 – $72,606 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,606 – $80,057 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,057 – $90,561 |
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 Perth Amboy
Among the 13 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Perth Amboy, the cost of living index at 115.2 suggests that residents face a higher-than-average expense of living, which can impact their take-home pay. Among local employers, positions within hospital inpatient rehabilitation tend to offer the highest salaries, often surpassing those found in school districts or home health agencies. The disparity in pay can be attributed to varying productivity expectations and the influence of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, which has altered compensation structures predominantly in SNFs. For aspiring occupational therapy assistants looking to maximize earnings in Perth Amboy, focusing on hospital roles, considering weekend or PRN positions, and exploring contracts tied to year-round services may provide advantageous financial outcomes in this evolving market.
More salary data for Perth Amboy, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Perth Amboy, NJ in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Perth Amboy?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Perth Amboy?
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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 $70,622 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Perth Amboy 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 Perth Amboy 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