Occupational Therapist salary in New Jersey
Occupational Therapists in New Jersey earn a median of $103,410 a year ($49.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,230 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $100,330. New Jersey ranks 14th of 51 states for occupational therapists pay. There are 1.5 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $110,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,690 | $37.83 |
| 25th percentile | $91,770 | $44.12 |
| Median | $103,410 | $49.72 |
| 75th percentile | $128,390 | $61.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,230 | $76.56 |
| Average (mean) | $110,150 | $52.96 |
Half of occupational therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,617.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,308.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,977.31 |
| Weekly | $1,988.65 |
| Hourly | $49.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapist salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $103,140 | 3,410 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $101,460 | 11,640 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $101,370 | 210 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $98,440 | 470 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $97,130 | 110 |
| Vineland, NJ | $95,440 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,510 |
| Oregon | $112,310 |
| Nevada | $110,520 |
| District of Columbia | $109,170 |
| Washington | $107,670 |
| Maryland | $106,980 |
| Colorado | $106,720 |
| Arkansas | $106,360 |
| Texas | $106,140 |
| Oklahoma | $104,300 |
Related jobs in New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $106,500 | $51.20 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $159,310 | $76.59 |
| Physical Therapist | $112,140 | $53.91 |
| Physicians, All Other | $285,010 | $137.02 |
| Pharmacist | $137,620 | $66.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $107,040 | $51.46 |
| Therapists, All Other | $100,250 | $48.20 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $101,560 | $48.83 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,690 | $79.66 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $100,810 | $48.47 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $292,170 | $140.47 |
| Dentists, General | $171,330 | $82.37 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $89,990 | $43.26 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $84,450 | $40.60 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1122. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapist make in New Jersey?
The median salary for occupational therapists in New Jersey is $103,410 a year, or $49.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in New Jersey earn at least $159,230 a year. The top 25% earn $128,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,690 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $91,770 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in New Jersey?
About 6,290 occupational therapists are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.