Occupational Therapist salary in New York
Occupational Therapists in New York earn a median of $96,390 a year ($46.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,690 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,700 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $100,330. New York ranks 35th of 51 states for occupational therapists pay. There are 1.2 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $97,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,770 | $31.14 |
| 25th percentile | $76,980 | $37.01 |
| Median | $96,390 | $46.34 |
| 75th percentile | $114,400 | $55.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,700 | $64.28 |
| Average (mean) | $97,650 | $46.95 |
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 | $8,032.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,016.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,707.31 |
| Weekly | $1,853.65 |
| Hourly | $46.34 |
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 York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ithaca, NY | $102,910 | 60 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $101,460 | 11,640 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $97,720 | 410 |
| Kingston, NY | $95,200 | 70 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $95,110 | 60 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $89,720 | 80 |
| Binghamton, NY | $86,390 | 180 |
| Syracuse, NY | $86,110 | 470 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $85,990 | 550 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $85,920 | 240 |
| Elmira, NY | $83,190 | 40 |
| Rochester, NY | $81,750 | 740 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $81,560 | 970 |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $109,440 | $52.62 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $153,510 | $73.80 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,660 | $48.39 |
| Pharmacist | $142,090 | $68.31 |
| Physician Assistant | $160,880 | $77.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $242,500 | $116.59 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $100,610 | $48.37 |
| Dental Hygienist | $106,130 | $51.03 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $183,460 | $88.20 |
| Dentists, General | $183,060 | $88.01 |
| Anesthesiologist | $445,660 | $214.26 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $107,810 | $51.83 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $82,480 | $39.66 |
| Pediatricians, General | $212,150 | $101.99 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for occupational therapists in New York is $96,390 a year, or $46.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in New York?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in New York earn at least $133,700 a year. The top 25% earn $114,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,770 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $76,980 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in New York?
About 11,690 occupational therapists are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.