Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Summit, NJ: $69,079 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Summit, NJ earns a median $69,079/year (≈ $33.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Summit's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $59,964 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.8% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Summit, NJ, the projected salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 stands at $69,079, reflecting a competitive position within the state and a slight variance compared to the national median of $74,332. Local estimates show a salary range from $54,532 at the 10th percentile to $81,252 at the 90th percentile. These figures, calculated from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, indicate that occupational therapy assistants can command a decent wage in this area. For COTAs aiming to bridge to a Master’s degree, the upward mobility in lifetime earnings can be significantly enhanced, particularly with experiences from varied settings such as hospitals and outpatient clinics. This growth potential highlights the advantages of continued education in a rapidly evolving occupational landscape.
About the Summit Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,532 | $26.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,877 | $29.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,079 | $33.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,455 | $34.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,252 | $39.07 |
Median Salary Position
7.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Summit
In Summit, NJ, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,720 (2026 est.). At $69,079, the local median is 7.07% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Summit: You'd be above the median
How Summit Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Summit median: $69,079/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Summit Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $74,119 | -6.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -7.07% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Summit, NJ earn a median of $69,079 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.07% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.80% below the New Jersey state average of $74,119.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Summit has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Summit, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,079 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,964 — a 13.2% 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
$57,163
2025 BLS Actual
$67,191
2026 Current Est.
$69,079
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,163 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,492 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,368 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,275 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,591 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,191 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,079 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,020 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Summit metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $57,163 (2019) to $67,191 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,020 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,857 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Summit 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) | $54,532 – $61,877 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,877 – $69,079 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,079 – $71,455 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,455 – $81,252 |
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 Summit
Regarding the job market, Summit currently employs five occupational therapy assistants, presenting a concentrated yet valuable opportunity for prospective COTAs. However, with a cost-of-living index of 115.2, the area is notably above the national average, which may impact disposable income and purchasing power. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs tend to offer higher pay, largely due to more stringent productivity expectations and varied work contracts. The disparity in earnings can also be influenced by weekend or PRN shifts, and arrangements in school districts versus outpatient services have their own pay structures. With recent challenges such as the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting OTA services, strategic planning for job applications in higher-paying facilities and considering year-round contracts can prove beneficial for maximizing occupational therapy assistant pay in Summit, NJ.
More salary data for Summit, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Summit, NJ in 2026?
Is Summit, NJ a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Summit?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Summit?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Summit?
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 $67,191 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Summit 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 Summit 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