Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Ithaca, NY: $63,141 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Ithaca, NY earns a median $63,141/year (≈ $30.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Ithaca's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $54,479 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Ithaca, NY are projected to earn a median annual salary of $63,141 in 2026, which reflects the realities of working within structures such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals. The salary range spans from $45,637 at the 10th percentile to $73,501 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay scale that is influenced by the setting and productivity expectations. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, reveal that Ithaca's compensation for occupational therapy assistants is about 15.06% lower than the projected national median of $74,332. With the employment landscape comprising only six COTAs, professionals must navigate a competitive job market while considering the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that began in 2022, which has notably affected pay in outpatient and SNF environments.
About the Ithaca Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,637 | $21.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,707 | $25.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,141 | $30.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,806 | $32.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,501 | $35.34 |
Median Salary Position
15.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ithaca
In Ithaca, NY, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,864 (2026 est.). At $63,141, the local median is 15.06% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ithaca: You'd be above the median
How Ithaca Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Ithaca median: $63,141/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ithaca Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $64,102 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.06% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ithaca, NY earn a median of $63,141 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.06% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.50% below the New York state average of $64,102.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ithaca has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ithaca, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,141 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,479 — a 13.72% 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
$52,249
2025 BLS Actual
$61,415
2026 Current Est.
$63,141
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ithaca (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,249 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,464 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,436 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,577 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,921 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,939 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,415 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,141 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,915 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ithaca metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,249 (2019) to $61,415 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,915 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,666 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ithaca 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) | $45,637 – $53,707 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,707 – $63,141 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,141 – $66,806 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,806 – $73,501 |
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 Ithaca
In terms of local job market dynamics, Ithaca presents a challenge for occupational therapy assistants, given the small number employed in the area and a cost-of-living index of 115.9, which is above the national average. This increased cost of living can significantly erode take-home pay for professionals, making it essential to evaluate the types of employers that offer the best compensation. Typically, positions within hospital inpatient rehab settings tend to offer higher pay than those in schools or SNFs, especially in the wake of recent Medicare cuts. To maximize earnings, COTAs can explore employment with outpatient clinics or home health agencies, which may offer productivity bonuses or flexible contract options that can bridge the income gap. Additionally, considering year-round work opportunities or weekend shifts may yield better financial returns, especially for those just starting in their careers or pursuing COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways.
More salary data for Ithaca, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Ithaca, NY in 2026?
Is Ithaca, NY a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Ithaca?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Ithaca?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Ithaca?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New York
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 $61,415 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Ithaca 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 Ithaca 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