Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Niagara Falls, NY: $63,132 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Niagara Falls, NY earns a median $63,132/year (≈ $30.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Niagara Falls's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $54,471 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 Niagara Falls, NY, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $63,132 by 2026, which is approximately 15.07% below the national median of $74,332. The salary range reflects varying levels of experience and job settings, with the lowest 10% earning about $45,614 and the top 90% around $73,314 per year. These figures represent projected estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional economic conditions. The local job market for occupational therapy assistants is tightly knit, with only 10 professionals currently employed in the area, which indicates targeted hiring practices and limited competition despite ongoing demand for therapy services.
About the Niagara Falls Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,614 | $21.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,686 | $25.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,132 | $30.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,880 | $32.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,314 | $35.24 |
Median Salary Position
15.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Niagara Falls
In Niagara Falls, NY, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,700 (2026 est.). At $63,132, the local median is 15.07% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Niagara Falls: You'd be above the median
How Niagara Falls Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Niagara Falls median: $63,132/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Niagara Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $64,093 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.07% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Niagara Falls, NY earn a median of $63,132 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.07% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.50% below the New York state average of $64,093.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Niagara Falls has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Niagara Falls, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,132 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,471 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,242
2025 BLS Actual
$61,406
2026 Current Est.
$63,132
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Niagara Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,242 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,456 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,429 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,569 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,913 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,927 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,406 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,132 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,906 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Niagara Falls metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,242 (2019) to $61,406 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,906 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,664 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Niagara Falls 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) | $45,614 – $53,686 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,686 – $63,132 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,132 – $66,880 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,880 – $73,314 |
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 Niagara Falls
Given the cost of living index for Niagara Falls stands at 115.9, the take-home purchasing power for an occupational therapy assistant may influence how much do occupational therapy assistants make in Niagara Falls. Employers in the region that typically offer higher pay include skilled nursing facilities and hospitals providing inpatient rehabilitation, although the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut has affected compensation levels, squeezing budgets particularly in outpatient settings. The disparity between low and high salaries can often be attributed to the specific work environment—hospital roles generally pay better than school or nursing facilities—alongside factors such as productivity expectations and special weekend or per diem bonuses. COTAs looking to maximize their earnings in Niagara Falls may consider pursuing opportunities in home health agencies or seeking contracts with school districts, as these positions can offer more favorable salary prospects compared to traditional settings.
More salary data for Niagara Falls, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Niagara Falls?
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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 $61,406 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls 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