Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Albany, NY: $63,948 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Albany, NY earns a median $63,948/year (≈ $30.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Albany's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $64,227 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albany, New York, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant is $63,948 for the year 2026, a figure that reflects both the local job market dynamics and productivity expectations inherent in the field. The salary range for occupational therapy assistants in this region spans from $48,835 at the 10th percentile to $72,460 at the 90th percentile, suggesting that opportunities for specialization and experience can significantly influence earnings. These insights are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and highlight the reality that while Albany's compensation is competitive, it trends approximately 13.97% lower than the national median of $74,332. For those considering a career as a COTA in Albany, understanding the factors driving compensation is essential as the market continues to evolve.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,835 | $23.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,458 | $28.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,948 | $30.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,680 | $32.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,460 | $34.83 |
Median Salary Position
13.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albany
In Albany, NY, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,625 (2026 est.). At $63,948, the local median is 13.97% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Albany: You'd be above the median
How Albany Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Albany median: $63,948/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albany Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $64,076 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -13.97% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Albany, NY earn a median of $63,948 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.97% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.20% below the New York state average of $64,076.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albany has a cost of living 0.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albany, NY has a cost-of-living index of 99.566 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,948 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,227 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.44% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,150
2025 BLS Actual
$62,200
2026 Current Est.
$63,948
2019–2027 Growth
+31.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,948 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,745 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albany metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 24.0% from $50,150 (2019) to $62,200 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,745 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,595 (31.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany 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) | $48,835 – $58,458 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,458 – $63,948 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,948 – $67,680 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,680 – $72,460 |
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 Albany
In Albany, approximately 90 occupational therapy assistants are currently employed, indicating a stable but modest demand in this specific field. The cost of living index stands at 99.566, slightly below the national average, which suggests that take-home purchasing power may be affected. Employers in skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab offer some of the most competitive occupational therapy assistant pay in Albany, likely due to the greater demands and productivity expectations associated with these settings. The wage disparity between lower-paying roles, like those in school district contracts, and higher-paying options can be attributed to several factors, including differing Medicare reimbursement rates and the impact of the 15% cut on OTA services. To optimize earnings, COTAs would benefit from pursuing positions in hospitals or outpatient facilities, seeking weekend or PRN assignments, and considering year-round contracts that can provide additional income during peak demand periods.
More salary data for Albany, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Albany, NY in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Albany?
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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 $62,200 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Albany 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
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