Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Cortland, NY: $59,006 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Cortland, NY earns a median $59,006/year (≈ $28.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Cortland's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $50,911 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Cortland, NY, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $59,006 in 2026, which is substantially lower than the national median of $74,332. The local salary range varies from $45,392 at the 10th percentile to $68,090 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse settings and levels of experience within the field. These estimates are derived from state-level data and regional price adjustments based on 2025 BLS data, which account for the specific economic conditions in Cortland. Given its compact job market with only four occupational therapy assistants employed locally, salary expectations can be influenced by the limited number of positions available, making a deeper understanding of compensation dynamics critical for aspiring COTAs.
About the Cortland Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,392 | $21.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,989 | $24.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,006 | $28.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,655 | $30.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,090 | $32.73 |
Median Salary Position
20.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cortland
In Cortland, NY, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,698 (2026 est.). At $59,006, the local median is 20.62% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cortland: You'd be above the median
How Cortland Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Cortland median: $59,006/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cortland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $64,067 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -20.62% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cortland, NY earn a median of $59,006 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.62% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.90% below the New York state average of $64,067.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cortland has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cortland, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,006 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,911 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,828
2025 BLS Actual
$57,393
2026 Current Est.
$59,006
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cortland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,828 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,963 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,002 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,003 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,194 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,703 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,393 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,006 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,664 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cortland metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $48,828 (2019) to $57,393 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,664 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,836 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cortland 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) | $45,392 – $51,989 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,989 – $59,006 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,006 – $63,655 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,655 – $68,090 |
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 Cortland
Examining the local job market, the cost of living index for Cortland stands at 115.9, indicating that expenses may be higher than average, which can affect take-home pay and overall purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most competitive pay, while school districts and outpatient clinics may lag behind due to the pressures of the 15% Medicare cut that has impacted reimbursement rates. Factors that drive the disparity in salaries include work setting, specific productivity expectations, contract terms, and whether positions are year-round or seasonal. For COTAs aiming to enhance their earnings in the Cortland market, strategic positioning with employers that offer higher pay, seeking weekend or PRN shifts, and pursuing continuing education to transition towards supervisory roles can be effective ways to boost occupational therapy assistant salary in Cortland.
More salary data for Cortland, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Cortland, NY in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Cortland?
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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 $57,393 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Cortland 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 Cortland 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