Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in New York: $72,881 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New York's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $72,881/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because New York sits at BEA RPP 115.9 (16% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $62,883 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: New York ($74,960), Poughkeepsie ($72,743), Kiryas Joel ($71,640).
In 2026, the average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in New York is projected to be $72,881, slightly below the national median of $74,332, creating a disparity of -2.0%. Salaries vary significantly across the state, with the highest paying city being New York at $77,066, while Buffalo offers the lowest at $52,577, resulting in a salary gap of $24,489. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for services, and the density of healthcare facilities in urban areas compared to rural settings. New York has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that may impact salaries and job opportunities. The demand for occupational therapy assistants is driven by an aging population and increasing awareness of health and rehabilitation services. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.81%, the job market for this profession is expected to remain stable. Overall, there are about 3,077 occupational therapy assistants employed throughout the state, with the top five projected cities for salaries in 2026 being New York ($77,066), Poughkeepsie ($74,787), Kiryas Joel ($73,653), Newburgh ($72,053), and Utica ($66,703). This indicates a solid outlook for those pursuing a career in this field in New York.
New York Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in New York: $43,098 (lowest entry-level) to $91,542 (highest top earner)
New York vs National Average
New York occupational therapy assistants earn 1.95% less than the national median ($-1,451/year difference).
New York Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in New York range from $52,164 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $87,253 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $72,881. The New York median is $1,451 below the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $35.04/hr. Approximately 3,077 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,048
2025 BLS Actual
$70,889
2026 Current Est.
$72,881
2019–2027 Growth
+13.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in New York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,048 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,189 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,845 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,827 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,889 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,881 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,929 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New York metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 7.3% from $66,048 (2019) to $70,889 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,929 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,881 (13.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New York 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New York
Lowest Paying Cities in New York
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Buffalo | $52,577 |
| Cortland | $59,006 |
| Plattsburgh | $59,184 |
| Oneonta | $59,800 |
| Amsterdam | $59,945 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in New York
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New York cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utica | $66,703 | 92.678 | $71,973 |
| New York | $77,066 | 112.563 | $68,465 |
| Kiryas Joel | $73,653 | 109.422 | $67,311 |
| Rochester | $64,081 | 97.035 | $66,039 |
| Syracuse | $62,015 | 95.742 | $64,773 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New York
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $52,164 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $72,881 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $87,253 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New York metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in New York
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $77,066 |
| 2 | Poughkeepsie | $74,787 |
| 3 | Kiryas Joel | $73,653 |
| 4 | Newburgh | $72,053 |
| 5 | Utica | $66,703 |
| 6 | Rome | $66,023 |
| 7 | Yonkers | $65,732 |
| 8 | Troy | $65,214 |
| 9 | New Rochelle | $64,377 |
| 10 | Rochester | $64,081 |
| 11 | Albany | $63,948 |
| 12 | Mount Vernon | $63,657 |
| 13 | Watertown | $63,549 |
| 14 | Binghamton | $63,400 |
| 15 | Long Beach | $63,166 |
| 16 | Ithaca | $63,141 |
| 17 | Niagara Falls | $63,132 |
| 18 | Schenectady | $62,559 |
| 19 | Spring Valley | $62,455 |
| 20 | White Plains | $62,373 |
| 21 | Jamestown | $62,296 |
| 22 | Valley Stream | $62,196 |
| 23 | Syracuse | $62,015 |
| 24 | Middletown | $61,938 |
| 25 | Hempstead | $61,870 |
| 26 | Saratoga Springs | $61,565 |
| 27 | North Tonawanda | $61,202 |
| 28 | Glens Falls | $60,948 |
| 29 | Auburn | $60,904 |
| 30 | Freeport | $60,730 |
| 31 | Elmira | $60,655 |
| 32 | Oswego | $60,100 |
| 33 | Kingston | $60,066 |
| 34 | Lackawanna | $59,974 |
| 35 | Amsterdam | $59,945 |
| 36 | Oneonta | $59,800 |
| 37 | Plattsburgh | $59,184 |
| 38 | Cortland | $59,006 |
| 39 | Buffalo | $52,577 |
More New York Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in New York cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new occupational therapy assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Compare Cities in New York
View all comparisons →Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in New York in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in New York?
How does New York occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in New York?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in New York?
Which New York city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across New York. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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