Occupational Therapist Pay

New York vs Kingston: Occupational Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapist salaries between New York, NY and Kingston, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New York, NY
$104,565
$50.27/hr
Kingston, NY
$98,113
$47.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYKingston, NY
Median Salary$104,565$98,113
Hourly Rate$50.27$47.17
Entry Level (P10)$74,595$69,308
25th Percentile$86,704$83,242
75th Percentile$130,917$112,799
Top Earner (P90)$148,499$129,103
Total Employed11,64070
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($104,565) and Kingston ($98,113) occupational therapist salaries.New YorkKingstonMedian Salary$104,565$98,113Entry Level (P10)$74,595$69,308Top Earner (P90)$148,499$129,103US Median $103,400

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for occupational therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kingston.

The salary gap between New York and Kingston is $6,452 (6.58%). New York's median is +1.13% compared to the US national median of $103,400.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New York spans $73,904,Kingston spans $59,795. New York has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New York
P10 (Entry)$74,595
P25$86,704
Median$104,565
P75$130,917
P90 (Top)$148,499
Kingston
P10 (Entry)$69,308
P25$83,242
Median$98,113
P75$112,799
P90 (Top)$129,103

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kingston ($97,422 effective) pays 4.87% more than New York ($92,895 effective).

New York
Nominal: $104,565
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $92,895
Kingston
Nominal: $98,113
CoL Index: 100.709
Adjusted: $97,422

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,565/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($148,499)
  • Larger job market (11,640 employed)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Kingston if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,422)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapist salaries in New York grew 11.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.3% growth in Kingston over the same period.

New York, NY

+11.5%

$91,010 (2019) → $101,460 (2025)

Kingston, NY

+8.3%

$87,910 (2019) → $95,200 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapists more: New York or Kingston?

New York has a higher median occupational therapist salary at $104,565/year, compared to Kingston at $98,113/year — a difference of $6,452 (6.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Kingston?

New York occupational therapists earn $50.27/hr while Kingston hygienists earn $47.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New York to Kingston as a occupational therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Kingston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $92,895, Kingston = $97,422), job availability (11,640 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapists earn in New York vs Kingston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapists earn $74,595 in New York and $69,308 in Kingston. The New York area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JM

Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Chen, OTR/LData verified by Luis Garcia, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov