OT Assistant Salary

Old Bridge vs Trenton: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Old Bridge, NJ
$73,253
$35.22/hr
Trenton, NJ
$72,883
$35.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOld Bridge, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$73,253$72,883
Hourly Rate$35.22$35.04
Entry Level (P10)$55,080$54,289
25th Percentile$64,228$63,449
75th Percentile$78,808$77,913
Top Earner (P90)$92,469$94,113
Total Employed1721
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Old Bridge ($73,253) and Trenton ($72,883) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Old BridgeTrentonMedian Salary$73,253$72,883Entry Level (P10)$55,080$54,289Top Earner (P90)$92,469$94,113US Median $74,332

Verdict

Old Bridge and Trenton are closely matched on overall occupational therapy assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Old Bridge and Trenton is $370 (0.51%). Old Bridge's median is -1.45% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Old Bridge spans $37,389,Trenton spans $39,824. Trenton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Old Bridge
P10 (Entry)$55,080
P25$64,228
Median$73,253
P75$78,808
P90 (Top)$92,469
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$54,289
P25$63,449
Median$72,883
P75$77,913
P90 (Top)$94,113

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Old Bridge ($63,588 effective) pays 0.51% more than Trenton ($63,266 effective).

Old Bridge
Nominal: $73,253
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $63,588
Trenton
Nominal: $72,883
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $63,266

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Old Bridge if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,253/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,588)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($94,113)
  • Larger job market (21 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Old Bridge, NJ

+-17.6%

$86,520 (2024) → $71,251 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+-17.6%

$86,084 (2024) → $70,891 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Old Bridge or Trenton?

Old Bridge has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $73,253/year, compared to Trenton at $72,883/year — a difference of $370 (0.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Old Bridge and Trenton?

Old Bridge occupational therapy assistants earn $35.22/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $35.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Old Bridge to Trenton as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Old Bridge and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Old Bridge = $63,588, Trenton = $63,266), job availability (17 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Old Bridge vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $55,080 in Old Bridge and $54,289 in Trenton. The Old Bridge 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