Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in New Jersey
Occupational Therapy Assistants in New Jersey earn a median of $74,960 a year ($36.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,080 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,700 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $72,300. New Jersey ranks 13th of 50 states for occupational therapy assistants pay. There are 0.25 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $77,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,550 | $31.52 |
| 25th percentile | $74,930 | $36.03 |
| Median | $74,960 | $36.04 |
| 75th percentile | $79,930 | $38.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,700 | $48.42 |
| Average (mean) | $77,640 | $37.33 |
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 | $6,246.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,123.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,883.08 |
| Weekly | $1,441.54 |
| Hourly | $36.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $76,440 | 940 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $74,960 | 2,200 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $64,310 | 140 |
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 Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $78,440 | $37.71 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $44,470 | $21.38 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,830 | $22.52 |
| Medical Assistant | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| Dental Assistant | $49,390 | $23.74 |
| Phlebotomist | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $46,160 | $22.19 |
| Massage Therapist | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| Orderly | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $50,280 | $24.18 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $45,780 | $22.01 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 Jersey?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in New Jersey is $74,960 a year, or $36.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in New Jersey earn at least $100,700 a year. The top 25% earn $79,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,550 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $74,930 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in New Jersey?
About 1,080 occupational therapy assistants are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.