Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in New Haven, CT: $75,504 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in New Haven, CT earns a median $75,504/year (≈ $36.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in New Haven's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 104.6), that paycheck buys what $72,212 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Connecticut state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in New Haven, Connecticut, can anticipate a median annual salary of $75,504 in 2026, which presents a competitive edge compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this role spans from $63,557 at the 10th percentile to $83,687 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects the productivity expectations prevalent in the field, where effective case management and visits-per-day directly impact compensation levels. As the demand for rehabilitation services continues to grow, the outlook for occupational therapy assistants within New Haven is promising, indicating a resilient job market for those in the profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,557 | $30.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,709 | $31.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,504 | $36.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,210 | $39.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,687 | $40.23 |
Median Salary Position
1.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Haven
In New Haven, CT, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,130 (2026 est.). At $75,504, the local median is 1.58% above the national median of $74,332.
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How New Haven Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
New Haven median: $75,504/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Haven Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $75,053 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +1.58% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in New Haven, CT earn a median of $75,504 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.58% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.60% above the Connecticut state average of $75,053.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Haven has a cost of living 4.56% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Haven, CT has a cost-of-living index of 104.559 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,504 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,212 — a 4.36% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,680
2025 BLS Actual
$73,440
2026 Current Est.
$75,504
2019–2027 Growth
+21.9%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in New Haven (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,504 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,625 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Haven metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 15.3% from $63,680 (2019) to $73,440 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,625 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,945 (21.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Haven metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $63,557 – $64,709 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,709 – $75,504 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,504 – $81,210 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,210 – $83,687 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in New Haven
The local employment landscape reveals that there are 110 occupational therapy assistants currently working in New Haven, CT. Given the cost-of-living index of 104.559, professionals need to strategize effectively to maximize their take-home pay. High-paying opportunities often exist in hospital inpatient rehab settings and specialized outpatient clinics, which frequently offer better budgets for therapy services compared to skilled nursing facilities and school districts. The divergence in pay can largely be attributed to specific settings, expectations for productivity, and the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that has influenced service delivery models. For occupational therapy assistants, leveraging school-year contracts for potential stability while also considering PRN roles at hospitals could yield the best financial returns in the New Haven market.
More salary data for New Haven, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $73,440 for occupational therapy assistantsin the New Haven metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
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