Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Woodbridge, NJ: $75,127 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Woodbridge, NJ earns a median $75,127/year (≈ $36.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Woodbridge's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $65,214 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Woodbridge, New Jersey, are projected to earn a median salary of $75,127, slightly higher than the national median of $74,332. The local salary range for this position spans from $50,187 at the 10th percentile to $97,737 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, reflecting the economic realities and adjustments for the regional cost of living. With high productivity expectations influencing compensation, occupational therapy assistants in this area must maintain an efficient visits-per-day rate, illustrating the competitive nature of the job market in Woodbridge.
About the Woodbridge Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,187 | $24.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,680 | $31.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,127 | $36.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,943 | $40.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,737 | $46.98 |
Median Salary Position
1.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Woodbridge
In Woodbridge, NJ, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,550 (2026 est.). At $75,127, the local median is 1.07% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Woodbridge: You'd be above the median
How Woodbridge Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Woodbridge median: $75,127/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Woodbridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $74,090 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +1.07% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Woodbridge, NJ earn a median of $75,127 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.07% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.40% above the New Jersey state average of $74,090.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Woodbridge has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Woodbridge, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,127 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $65,214 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,168
2025 BLS Actual
$73,074
2026 Current Est.
$75,127
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Woodbridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,168 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,614 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,391 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,938 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,727 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,735 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,074 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,127 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,238 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Woodbridge metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $62,168 (2019) to $73,074 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,238 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,070 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woodbridge 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) | $50,187 – $65,680 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,680 – $75,127 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,127 – $84,943 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,943 – $97,737 |
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 Woodbridge
With 25 occupational therapy assistants employed locally, the job market reveals both opportunities and challenges for COTAs. The cost-of-living index in Woodbridge is 115.2, exceeding the national average and impacting the effective purchasing power of salaries. Notably, employers in skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab generally offer the highest pay, while school district contracts tend to provide more stable schedules but lower overall compensation. The variance in salaries can often be attributed to expectations around productivity, weekend, and PRN premiums, along with the implications of the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting many OTA services. To maximize pay, occupational therapy assistants may consider specializing in settings that align with their career goals or pursuing advanced credentials through pathways such as COTA-to-MOT. This strategy can enhance job security and financial compensation in an evolving healthcare landscape within Woodbridge, NJ.
More salary data for Woodbridge, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Woodbridge, NJ in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Woodbridge?
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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 $73,074 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Woodbridge 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 Woodbridge 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