OT Assistant Salary

Montclair vs Vineland: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Montclair, NJ and Vineland, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Montclair, NJ
$73,395
$35.28/hr
Vineland, NJ
$74,286
$35.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMontclair, NJVineland, NJ
Median Salary$73,395$74,286
Hourly Rate$35.28$35.72
Entry Level (P10)$53,339$51,664
25th Percentile$65,713$61,918
75th Percentile$78,086$79,492
Top Earner (P90)$86,144$88,627
Total Employed1011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Montclair ($73,395) and Vineland ($74,286) occupational therapy assistant salaries.MontclairVinelandMedian Salary$73,395$74,286Entry Level (P10)$53,339$51,664Top Earner (P90)$86,144$88,627US Median $74,332

Verdict

Vineland, NJ offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Montclair.

The salary gap between Montclair and Vineland is $891 (1.21%). Vineland's median is -0.06% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Montclair spans $32,805,Vineland spans $36,963. Vineland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Montclair
P10 (Entry)$53,339
P25$65,713
Median$73,395
P75$78,086
P90 (Top)$86,144
Vineland
P10 (Entry)$51,664
P25$61,918
Median$74,286
P75$79,492
P90 (Top)$88,627

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vineland ($64,484 effective) pays 1.21% more than Montclair ($63,711 effective).

Montclair
Nominal: $73,395
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $63,711
Vineland
Nominal: $74,286
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $64,484

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Montclair if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Vineland if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,286/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($88,627)
  • Larger job market (11 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,484)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Montclair grew -17.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -5.2% growth in Vineland over the same period.

Montclair, NJ

+-17.6%

$86,688 (2024) → $71,389 (2025)

Vineland, NJ

+-5.2%

$76,220 (2020) → $72,256 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Montclair or Vineland?

Vineland has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $74,286/year, compared to Montclair at $73,395/year — a difference of $891 (1.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Montclair and Vineland?

Montclair occupational therapy assistants earn $35.28/hr while Vineland hygienists earn $35.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Montclair to Vineland as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Montclair and Vineland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Montclair = $63,711, Vineland = $64,484), job availability (10 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Montclair vs Vineland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $53,339 in Montclair and $51,664 in Vineland. The Montclair area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov