New York · BLS SOC 29-1122
Occupational Therapist salary in New York
Median $118,010 · Top 10% earn $154,330+ · Roughly 9,331 workers in New York. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.
- New York median
- $118,010
- $56.74/hr
- Top 10%
- $154,330
- 90th percentile
- Bottom 10%
- $75,940
- Entry-level range
- Real pay
- $101,733
- CoL-adjusted (RPP 116.0)
New York pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for occupational therapists — $118,010 versus the national median of $98,340. After adjusting for New York's high cost of living, the pay edge narrows to about $3,393 above U.S. average buying power. The state employs roughly 9,331 occupational therapists.
What drives occupational therapist pay in New York
NYC pediatric OT (especially school district and autism services) pays $90–105K with strong work-life balance.
Top-paying metros in New York
New York-area metropolitan areas with the highest occupational therapist medians.
New York metros
10 highest-paying metropolitan areas. Source: BLS OEWS metro tables, May 2024.
| Rank | Metro | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $95,100 |
New York ranks #3 of 50 states
Where New York sits in the national distribution for occupational therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.
| Rank | State | Median | vs. New York |
|---|---|---|---|
| #2 | District of Columbia | $118,990 | +$980 |
| #1 | Washington | $119,970 | +$1,960 |
| #3 | New York (this page) | $118,010 | — |
| #4 | California | $116,040 | −$1,970 |
| #5 | Massachusetts | $116,040 | −$1,970 |
| #6 | Nevada | $116,040 | −$1,970 |
Find Occupational Therapist programs near you
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Education path for New York
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 York median of $118,010, payback periods are typically 1.7 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 York selected.
Occupational Therapist salary in New York — FAQ
What is the average occupational therapist salary in New York?
How does New York occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
Where does New York pay occupational therapists the most?
Is occupational therapist a good career in New York?
What's the hourly rate for occupational therapists in New York?
Methodology note
New York-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 York's RPP is 116.0 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.