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

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New York employs 2,230 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $68,530 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New York licensing picture, and where to train.

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

New York median pay: $68,530 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $49,050
Experienced (75th percentile): $77,730
Top earners (90th percentile): $83,200
Employed in New York: 2,230
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

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

New York City metro: $74,960 (2,200 employed)
Hudson Valley: $71,640 (110 employed)
Rochester: $62,330 (90 employed)
Albany: $62,200 (90 employed)
Syracuse: $60,320 (60 employed)
Buffalo: $51,140 (200 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in New York

Prices in New York run about 8% above the national average (cost-of-living index 107.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $68,530 median is worth closer to $63,513 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New York (2024–2034)

New York is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +17.0%, slower than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 520 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New York License and Certification Requirements

Occupational Therapy Assistant license (NYSED) — regulated by the NYS Education Department — Office of the Professions.

Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA program (associate degree).
Pass the NBCOT COTA examination.
Apply through NYSED's Office of the Professions ($147).

Official requirements: NYS Education Department — Office of the Professions →

Training in New York

New York's huge school system is a major OTA employer alongside rehab and skilled nursing — school-based roles offer family-friendly calendars. CUNY/SUNY programs keep training costs manageable.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New York include:

Access Careers — Associate
Allen School-Jamaica — Associate
Bryant & Stratton College-Albany — Associate
Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in New York

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

Center for Disability Services, Inc 9 — Albany
NY Homeside Rehab Pt Ot Slp PLLC — Brooklyn
United Cerebral Palsy of New York City Inc — Brooklyn
Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center — Buffalo
Speech Language Pathology — Chappaqua
Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care — Elmsford

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 York?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in New York is $68,530 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $49,050, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $83,200. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Occupational Therapy Assistant license (NYSED), overseen by the NYS Education Department — Office of the Professions. Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA program (associate degree).

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

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

Which New York metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among New York metro areas, New York City metro leads at $74,960, followed by Hudson Valley ($71,640), Rochester ($62,330). 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 York?

Real New York options include Access Careers, Allen School-Jamaica, Bryant & Stratton College-Albany. 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 York?

New York projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +17.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 520 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 York statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the NYS Education Department — Office of the Professions (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 York wages · New York 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.