Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Rochester, NY: $64,081 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Rochester, NY earns a median $64,081/year (≈ $30.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.0), that paycheck buys what $66,039 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Rochester, NY, can expect a median annual salary of $64,081 in 2026, representing a notable opportunity in the healthcare sector despite being roughly 13.79% below the national median. The salary range for this position spans from $47,282 at the 10th percentile to $81,487 at the 90th percentile, offering a wide variance that reflects different levels of experience and workplace settings. These projections come from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlighting local productivity expectations, which are shaped by the number of visits per day. This competitive landscape suggests a focused approach for job seekers to optimize their salaries in Rochester's occupational therapy market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,282 | $22.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,831 | $27.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,081 | $30.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,286 | $34.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,487 | $39.18 |
Median Salary Position
13.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NY, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,205 (2026 est.). At $64,081, the local median is 13.79% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Rochester median: $64,081/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $74,332 | -13.79% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rochester, NY earn a median of $64,081 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.79% lower than the national median of $74,332.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 2.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NY has a cost-of-living index of 97.035 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,081 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,039 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,240
2025 BLS Actual
$62,330
2026 Current Est.
$64,081
2019–2027 Growth
+17.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,081 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,882 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 10.8% from $56,240 (2019) to $62,330 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,882 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,642 (17.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $47,282 – $57,831 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,831 – $64,081 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,081 – $72,286 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,286 – $81,487 |
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 Rochester
In Rochester, a local workforce of 90 occupational therapy assistants indicates steady employment opportunities in the region, which is crucial for those entering the field. With a cost-of-living index at 97.035, the purchasing power remains favorable, but it requires consideration of how local pay compares against broader economic factors. In this area, the highest compensation tends to be found in hospital inpatient rehab settings, significantly influenced by productivity expectations and reimbursement structures like the recent 15% Medicare reduction affecting certain facilities. The diversity in pay scales can be driven by factors such as work setting—hospital roles typically command higher salaries than school districts or skilled nursing facilities. Those looking to enhance their occupational therapy assistant pay in Rochester should focus on obtaining contracts with higher-paying employers and consider options like PRN shifts or specialized certifications where possible.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Rochester, NY in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Rochester?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Rochester?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Rochester?
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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 $62,330 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Rochester 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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