PayByState

New Jersey · BLS SOC 29-1122

Occupational Therapist salary in New Jersey

Median $110,140 · Top 10% earn $139,430+ · Roughly 4,082 workers in New Jersey. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

New Jersey median
$110,140
$52.95/hr
Top 10%
$139,430
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$70,880
Entry-level range
Real pay
$97,125
CoL-adjusted (RPP 113.4)

New Jersey pays modestly above the U.S. median for occupational therapists — $110,140 versus the national median of $98,340. After adjusting for New Jersey's high cost of living, real purchasing power is actually below the U.S. average — the headline number is misleading. The state employs roughly 4,082 occupational therapists.

What drives occupational therapist pay in New Jersey

New Jersey OT pay is high, driven by NYC-suburban pricing and strong school-district pediatric OT contracts. Public school OT roles offer state pension.

New Jersey ranks #11 of 50 states

Where New Jersey sits in the national distribution for occupational therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. New Jersey
#10 Connecticut $111,120 +$980
#9 Hawaii $111,120 +$980
#8 Oregon $112,110 +$1,970
#11 New Jersey (this page) $110,140 —
#12 Maryland $108,170 −$1,970
#13 Minnesota $105,220 −$4,920
#14 Colorado $104,240 −$5,900
See all 50 states →

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Education path for New Jersey

The typical path is a master's degree (entry-level) + state license; otd increasingly required, taking about 30 months. Tuition ranges from $40,000 (community college) to $150,000 (private accelerated). On the New Jersey median of $110,140, payback periods are typically 1.9 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Occupational Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with New Jersey selected.

Occupational Therapist salary in New Jersey — FAQ

What is the average occupational therapist salary in New Jersey?
The median occupational therapist salary in New Jersey is $110,140 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $70,880; the top 10% earn $139,430 or more. About 4,082 people work in this role across the state.
How does New Jersey occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey's median of $110,140 is $11,800 above the U.S. national median of $98,340. After adjusting for New Jersey's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 113.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $97,125.
Is occupational therapist a good career in New Jersey?
On the data: New Jersey employs roughly 4,082 occupational therapists, with a median wage of $110,140 and the top decile clearing $139,430. The role is projected to grow +11% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for occupational therapists in New Jersey?
At the New Jersey median of $110,140 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $52.95/hr. The top 10% earn around $67.03/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $34.08/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

New Jersey-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1122: Occupational Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where New Jersey's RPP is 113.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.