Occupational Therapist salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Occupational Therapists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $81,560 a year ($39.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 970 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,620 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 15% lower than the New York statewide median of $96,390. There are 1.8 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $83,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,560 | $29.11 |
| 25th percentile | $65,890 | $31.68 |
| Median | $81,560 | $39.21 |
| 75th percentile | $101,050 | $48.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,620 | $51.26 |
| Average (mean) | $83,790 | $40.29 |
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 | $6,796.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,398.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,136.92 |
| Weekly | $1,568.46 |
| Hourly | $39.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,560 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Occupational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
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 |
See Occupational Therapist pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,060 | $47.63 |
| Physicians, All Other | $108,510 | $52.17 |
| Physical Therapist | $95,800 | $46.06 |
| Pharmacist | $137,900 | $66.30 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,220 | $63.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $126,360 | $60.75 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,890 | $39.85 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,470 | $39.65 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $86,720 | $41.69 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,990 | $37.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $186,600 | $89.71 |
| Dentists, General | $178,260 | $85.70 |
| Veterinarian | $127,500 | $61.30 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $303,190 | $145.76 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $81,560 a year, or $39.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $106,620 a year. The top 25% earn $101,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,560 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $65,890 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 970 occupational therapists are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.