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Occupational Therapy Assistant in New Jersey: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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New Jersey employs 1,080 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $74,960 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New Jersey licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in New Jersey (May 2025)

New Jersey median pay: $74,960 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $65,550
Experienced (75th percentile): $79,930
Top earners (90th percentile): $100,700
Employed in New Jersey: 1,080
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants in major New Jersey markets:

Philadelphia: $76,440 (940 employed)
New York–Newark: $74,960 (2,200 employed)
Allentown–Bethlehem: $64,310 (140 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in New Jersey

Prices in New Jersey run about 9% above the national average (cost-of-living index 108.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $74,960 median is worth closer to $68,897 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New Jersey (2024–2034)

New Jersey is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +31.0%, faster than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 130 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New Jersey License and Certification Requirements

Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) license — regulated by the New Jersey State Board of Occupational Therapy (Division of Consumer Affairs).

Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program (associate degree, typically 2 years with Level I and Level II fieldwork rotations).
Pass the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam.
Apply for New Jersey OTA licensure through the State Board of Occupational Therapy. OTAs practice under supervision of a licensed OT. Renew biennially with CE hours.

Official requirements: New Jersey State Board of Occupational Therapy (Division of Consumer Affairs) →

Training in New Jersey

ACOTE-accredited NJ programs include those at Brookdale Community College and County College of Morris. School-based OT (serving K-12 students) is a significant NJ employer, as are the large rehabilitation hospital networks (Kessler, JFK Johnson). NJ school districts often actively recruit OTAs given ongoing demand.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New Jersey include:

Atlantic Cape Community College — Associate
Bergen Community College — Associate
Berkeley College-Woodland Park — Associate
Camden County College — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in New Jersey

Real New Jersey outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:

Kessler Rehab Center-Brick — Brick
Kessler Rehabilitation Center - Brick — Brick
Center for Aquatic Rehab Cherry Hill — Cherry Hill
Novacare Rehabilitation — Cherry Hill
Palisades Rehabilitation Servi — Cresskill
Powerback Rehabilitation — Englishtown

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Patient, practical people who enjoy helping others rebuild daily-life skills.

Think twice if: You want independent desk work or dislike clinical documentation.

Why it's resilient: Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

First Steps

Find ACOTE-accredited OTA programs and review fieldwork requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in New Jersey?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in New Jersey is $74,960 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $65,550, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $100,700. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in New Jersey?

Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) license, overseen by the New Jersey State Board of Occupational Therapy (Division of Consumer Affairs). Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program (associate degree, typically 2 years with Level I and Level II fieldwork rotations).

Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in New Jersey?

Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

Which New Jersey metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among New Jersey metro areas, Philadelphia leads at $76,440, followed by New York–Newark ($74,960), Allentown–Bethlehem ($64,310). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in New Jersey?

Real New Jersey options include Atlantic Cape Community College, Bergen Community College, Berkeley College-Woodland Park. Most occupational therapy assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career in New Jersey?

New Jersey projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +31.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 130 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), New Jersey statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the New Jersey State Board of Occupational Therapy (Division of Consumer Affairs) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET New Jersey wages · New Jersey licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.