Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Oswego, NY: $60,100 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Oswego, NY earns a median $60,100/year (≈ $28.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Oswego's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $51,855 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected salary figure for occupational therapy assistants in Oswego, New York is set at $60,100, a figure that highlights a noticeable variance when compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this role in Oswego spans from $47,829 at the 10th percentile to $71,404 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse working conditions and settings available to COTAs in the area. Estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, which is significant in this locality due to its above-average cost of living index at 115.9. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for both current occupational therapy assistants and those entering the field, as local productivity expectations and visit volumes profoundly influence overall effective compensation.
About the Oswego Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,829 | $23.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,947 | $25.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,100 | $28.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,830 | $31.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,404 | $34.33 |
Median Salary Position
19.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oswego
In Oswego, NY, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,575 (2026 est.). At $60,100, the local median is 19.15% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oswego: You'd be above the median
How Oswego Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Oswego median: $60,100/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oswego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $64,072 | -6.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -19.15% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oswego, NY earn a median of $60,100 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.15% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.20% below the New York state average of $64,072.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oswego has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oswego, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,100 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $51,855 — 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
$49,733
2025 BLS Actual
$58,457
2026 Current Est.
$60,100
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oswego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,733 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,889 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,911 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,948 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,088 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,457 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,100 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,788 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oswego metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $49,733 (2019) to $58,457 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,788 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,055 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oswego 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) | $47,829 – $52,947 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,947 – $60,100 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,100 – $64,830 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,830 – $71,404 |
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 Oswego
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Oswego appears limited, with only 5 professionals currently active in the area. Given the local cost of living, the actual purchasing power of salaries can be substantially impacted, necessitating a keen understanding of employer type when seeking higher pay. Facilities such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers tend to offer elevated rates compared to skilled nursing facilities or school districts. The variations stem from differing productivity benchmarks and reimbursement rates, particularly in light of the 15% Medicare cut that began affecting OTA services in 2022. To optimize income, occupational therapy assistants should consider diversifying their experience across different settings, explore contracts beyond traditional educational roles, and be strategic about working in high-demand periods, ensuring they align their professional pathway with the upward trajectory of earnings in the market.
More salary data for Oswego, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Oswego, NY in 2026?
Is Oswego, NY a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Oswego?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Oswego?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Oswego?
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 $58,457 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Oswego 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 Oswego 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