Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in New York
Occupational Therapy Assistants in New York earn a median of $68,530 a year ($32.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,200 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $72,300. New York ranks 23rd of 50 states for occupational therapy assistants pay. There are 0.23 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $67,620, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| 25th percentile | $57,250 | $27.52 |
| Median | $68,530 | $32.95 |
| 75th percentile | $77,730 | $37.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Average (mean) | $67,620 | $32.51 |
Half of occupational therapy assistants 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 | $5,710.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,855.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,635.77 |
| Weekly | $1,317.88 |
| Hourly | $32.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $74,960 | 2,200 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $71,640 | 110 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $64,880 | 40 |
| Rochester, NY | $62,330 | 90 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $62,200 | 90 |
| Syracuse, NY | $60,320 | 60 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $51,140 | 200 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapy assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $82,010 |
| California | $81,770 |
| Texas | $81,500 |
| Nevada | $79,510 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 |
| Delaware | $78,640 |
| Washington | $77,590 |
| New Mexico | $77,020 |
| Oregon | $76,850 |
| Georgia | $75,920 |
Related jobs in New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $64,100 | $30.82 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $39,620 | $19.05 |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| Medical Assistant | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Phlebotomist | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $44,750 | $21.52 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $57,320 | $27.56 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $50,220 | $24.14 |
| Orderly | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| Massage Therapist | $62,630 | $30.11 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in New York
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2011. 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 therapy assistant make in New York?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in New York is $68,530 a year, or $32.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in New York?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in New York earn at least $83,200 a year. The top 25% earn $77,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,050 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $57,250 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in New York?
About 2,230 occupational therapy assistants are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.