Occupational Therapists Salary
Occupational Therapists in New Jersey make a median of $103,410 a year, or about $49.72 an hour. The range runs from $79K at the entry level to $159K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 99.34), that's roughly $104,097 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,067/month, about 32.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across New Jersey. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $103K get you in New Jersey?
About occupational therapists
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What this looks like in New Jersey
Occupational therapists pay in New Jersey tracks closely to the national median, $103K locally vs. $100K nationwide, a 3% difference. Rent runs $2,067/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 99.34) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Jersey
Entry-level occupational therapists (10th percentile) start around $79K. Mid-career wages sit at $103K. Top earners bring in $159K or more, a $81K spread from bottom to top.
Occupational Therapists salary by metro in New Jersey
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton | $101K | -2% | 210 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | $97K | -6% | 110 |
| Vineland | $95K | -8% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track occupational therapists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New Jersey numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a occupational therapist afford a 2BR apartment alone in New Jersey?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $103K, rent takes 32.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,067/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,900/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for occupational therapists in New Jersey?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new occupational therapists typically earn — is $79K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,721/month. At HUD’s $2,067/month FMR, rent would take 44% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is occupational therapist a high-paying job in New Jersey?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $103K locally vs. $100K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does New Jersey compare to the national average for occupational therapists?
New Jersey pays $103K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s +3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 99.34), the purchasing-power equivalent is $104K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do occupational therapists make in New Jersey?
The median is $103,410 a year, that works out to about $50 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $78,690, and experienced occupational therapists can clear $159,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $103K enough to live in New Jersey?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,390/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,067/month, which eats 32.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a occupational therapists salary go in New Jersey?
New Jersey has a Regional Price Parity of 99.34 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median occupational therapists salary is worth about $104,097 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do occupational therapists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.