Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Long Beach, NY: $63,166 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Long Beach, NY earns a median $63,166/year (≈ $30.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $54,500 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Long Beach, NY, can expect a median annual salary of $63,166 in 2026, reflecting the complexities of healthcare funding in the region. The salary range for this role varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $45,697 and experienced professionals earning up to $73,424. These figures are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local market conditions, indicating a notable gap when compared to the national median salary of $74,332, which suggests that factors such as workplace setting and reimbursement changes are influencing local compensation levels. The impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, effective since 2022, has particularly affected earnings in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics, creating a challenging environment for occupational therapy assistants in these settings.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,697 | $21.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,759 | $25.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,166 | $30.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,959 | $32.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,424 | $35.30 |
Median Salary Position
15.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, NY, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,727 (2026 est.). At $63,166, the local median is 15.02% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be above the median
How Long Beach Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $63,166/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $64,063 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.02% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Long Beach, NY earn a median of $63,166 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.02% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.40% below the New York state average of $64,063.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,166 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,500 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,271
2025 BLS Actual
$61,440
2026 Current Est.
$63,166
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,271 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,486 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,458 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,599 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,945 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,971 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,166 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,941 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,271 (2019) to $61,440 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,941 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,670 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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) | $45,697 – $53,759 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,759 – $63,166 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,166 – $66,959 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,959 – $73,424 |
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 Long Beach
With just seven occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Long Beach, the job market remains relatively small, emphasizing the importance of understanding local economic factors and purchasing power. The cost of living index for Long Beach sits at 115.9, indicating that expenses are higher than the national average; therefore, potential earnings need to align with local economic realities to ensure a comfortable lifestyle. Among the various employment settings in Long Beach, hospital inpatient rehab and school district contracts tend to offer the highest pay, while skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics have tightened their budgets in response to reduced Medicare reimbursements. To maximize pay in this local market, occupational therapy assistants should explore opportunities within hospitals and schools, consider productivity expectations, and evaluate the potential for weekend or PRN work, as these factors can lead to greater financial rewards despite the current economic climate.
More salary data for Long Beach, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Long Beach, NY in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Long Beach?
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How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Long Beach?
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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 $61,440 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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