Occupational Therapy Aides Salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Occupational Therapy Aides in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY make a median of $42,630 a year, or about $20.49 an hour. The range runs from $32K at the entry level to $70K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 95.84), that's roughly $44,480 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,343/month — about 45.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $43K get you in Buffalo-Cheektowaga?
About occupational therapy aides
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Entry-level occupational therapy aides (10th percentile) start around $32K. Mid-career wages sit at $43K.Top earners bring in $70K or more - a $38K spread from bottom to top.
Occupational Therapy Aides pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $73K | +97% | 200 |
| Florida | $71K | +89% | 40 |
| New Mexico | $68K | +82% | 70 |
| Nevada | $62K | +66% | N/A |
| Nebraska | $44K | +17% | 40 |
| New York | $42K | +13% | 230 |
| Virginia | $41K | +9% | 50 |
| New Jersey | $41K | +9% | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $40K | +8% | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $39K | +4% | 260 |
| California | $38K | +3% | 560 |
| Missouri | $38K | +3% | 140 |
| District of Columbia | $38K | +2% | N/A |
| Georgia | $38K | +0% | 130 |
| Michigan | $37K | -0% | 50 |
Track occupational therapy aides salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Buffalo-Cheektowaga numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare Support
Frequently asked questions
How much do occupational therapy aides make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median is $42,630 a year - that works out to about $20.49 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $32,100, and experienced occupational therapy aides can clear $69,860. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $43K enough to live in Buffalo-Cheektowaga?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,879/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,343/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 46.6% 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 therapy aides salary go in Buffalo-Cheektowaga?
Buffalo-Cheektowaga has a Regional Price Parity of 95.84 (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 therapy aides salary is worth about $44,480 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do occupational therapy aides 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.