Occupational Therapist Salary in New York: $100,379 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New York's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $100,379/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because New York sits at BEA RPP 115.9 (16% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $86,608 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Ithaca ($102,910), New York ($101,460), Poughkeepsie ($99,225).
In 2026, the average median salary for occupational therapists in New York is projected to be $100,379, which is slightly below the national median of $103,400, representing a difference of 2.9%. The highest salaries can be found in Ithaca at $106,059, while Cortland offers the lowest at $81,981, resulting in a salary gap of $24,078. This disparity is influenced by factors such as cost of living, demand for services, and regional funding for healthcare resources. New York's occupational therapy landscape is shaped by state licensing requirements and specific scope of practice laws, which can vary from other states and influence job prospects. With an estimated 15,760 occupational therapists employed across 39 metro areas, the demand is steady, supported by a projected annual growth rate of 3.06% moving forward. Major cities contributing significantly to the employment and salary levels include New York City at $104,565, Poughkeepsie at $102,261, Kiryas Joel at $100,710, and Newburgh at $98,523. This positive outlook indicates a strong job market for occupational therapists in New York, driven by the increasing recognition of the importance of therapeutic services across various age groups and conditions.
New York Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in New York: $59,713 (lowest entry-level) to $148,499 (highest top earner)
New York vs National Average
New York occupational therapists earn 2.92% less than the national median ($-3,021/year difference).
New York Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in New York range from $71,830 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $140,109 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $100,379. The New York median is $3,021 below the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $48.26/hr. Approximately 15,760 occupational therapists are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$87,729
2025 BLS Actual
$97,399
2026 Current Est.
$100,379
2019–2027 Growth
+17.9%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in New York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,729 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,861 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,586 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,038 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,273 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,175 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,399 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,379 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,451 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New York metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 11.0% from $87,729 (2019) to $97,399 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,451 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,722 (17.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New York metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New York
Lowest Paying Cities in New York
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cortland | $81,981 |
| Plattsburgh | $82,228 |
| Oneonta | $83,086 |
| Amsterdam | $83,287 |
| Lackawanna | $83,327 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in New York
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New York cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | $92,465 | 87.69 | $105,445 |
| Glens Falls | $98,020 | 94.866 | $103,325 |
| Ithaca | $106,059 | 103.317 | $102,654 |
| Kingston | $98,113 | 100.709 | $97,422 |
| Binghamton | $89,034 | 92.863 | $95,877 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New York
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $71,830 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $100,379 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $140,109 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New York metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in New York
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ithaca | $106,059 |
| 2 | New York | $104,565 |
| 3 | Poughkeepsie | $102,261 |
| 4 | Kiryas Joel | $100,710 |
| 5 | Newburgh | $98,523 |
| 6 | Kingston | $98,113 |
| 7 | Glens Falls | $98,020 |
| 8 | Watertown | $92,465 |
| 9 | Yonkers | $91,327 |
| 10 | Troy | $90,376 |
| 11 | New Rochelle | $89,444 |
| 12 | Binghamton | $89,034 |
| 13 | Syracuse | $88,745 |
| 14 | Albany | $88,621 |
| 15 | Utica | $88,549 |
| 16 | Mount Vernon | $88,443 |
| 17 | Long Beach | $87,762 |
| 18 | Niagara Falls | $87,713 |
| 19 | Rome | $87,646 |
| 20 | Spring Valley | $86,773 |
| 21 | Schenectady | $86,696 |
| 22 | White Plains | $86,659 |
| 23 | Jamestown | $86,553 |
| 24 | Valley Stream | $86,415 |
| 25 | Middletown | $86,055 |
| 26 | Hempstead | $85,960 |
| 27 | Elmira | $85,736 |
| 28 | Saratoga Springs | $85,537 |
| 29 | North Tonawanda | $85,033 |
| 30 | Auburn | $84,618 |
| 31 | Freeport | $84,376 |
| 32 | Rochester | $84,252 |
| 33 | Buffalo | $84,056 |
| 34 | Oswego | $83,500 |
| 35 | Lackawanna | $83,327 |
| 36 | Amsterdam | $83,287 |
| 37 | Oneonta | $83,086 |
| 38 | Plattsburgh | $82,228 |
| 39 | Cortland | $81,981 |
More New York Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in New York cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapists.
Compare Cities in New York
View all comparisons →Explore More Occupational Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in New York in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in New York?
How does New York occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in New York?
How many occupational therapists are employed in New York?
Which New York city offers the best value for occupational therapists?
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapist compensation across New York. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov