Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in North Tonawanda, NY: $61,202 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in North Tonawanda, NY earns a median $61,202/year (≈ $29.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in North Tonawanda's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $52,806 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected occupational therapy assistant salary in North Tonawanda is estimated to be $61,202, which reflects a significant gap when compared to the national median of $74,332. The local salary ranges from $46,069 at the 10th percentile to $75,490 at the 90th percentile, indicating that there are opportunities for advancement depending on the work setting and experience. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, showcasing the economic realities of this area. Given the rising demand for occupational therapy assistants, particularly in settings that emphasize productivity, the North Tonawanda job market offers a focused opportunity for COTAs looking to establish themselves despite the current salary structure.
About the North Tonawanda Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,069 | $22.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,459 | $25.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,202 | $29.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,480 | $32.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,490 | $36.29 |
Median Salary Position
17.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Tonawanda
In North Tonawanda, NY, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,421 (2026 est.). At $61,202, the local median is 17.66% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in North Tonawanda: You'd be above the median
How North Tonawanda Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
North Tonawanda median: $61,202/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Tonawanda Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $64,086 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -17.66% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in North Tonawanda, NY earn a median of $61,202 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.66% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.50% below the New York state average of $64,086.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Tonawanda has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
North Tonawanda, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,202 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $52,806 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,645
2025 BLS Actual
$59,529
2026 Current Est.
$61,202
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in North Tonawanda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,645 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,822 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,826 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,901 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,173 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,484 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,529 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,202 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,922 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Tonawanda metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $50,645 (2019) to $59,529 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,922 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,277 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Tonawanda 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) | $46,069 – $53,459 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,459 – $61,202 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,202 – $67,480 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,480 – $75,490 |
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 North Tonawanda
With eight occupational therapy assistants currently employed in North Tonawanda, the local job market shows some activity, though the cost of living is a consideration, with an index of 115.9 surpassing the national average. This reality affects take-home purchasing power for those in the field. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab centers tend to offer higher pay rates compared to outpatient clinics or school districts, particularly in a post-COVID environment where funding cuts have influenced Medicare reimbursement. The spread in salaries is primarily driven by productivity expectations and the operational settings, with posts in institutions typically compensating better than educational or home health roles. Aspiring COTAs can maximize their potential earnings by considering year-round contracts, seeking work in higher-paying environments, and staying informed about state and national eligibility changes and reimbursements, particularly in light of the 15% reduction in Medicare coverage for OTA-provided services.
More salary data for North Tonawanda, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in North Tonawanda, NY in 2026?
Is North Tonawanda, NY a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in North Tonawanda?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in North Tonawanda?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in North Tonawanda?
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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 $59,529 for occupational therapy assistantsin the North Tonawanda 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 North Tonawanda 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