Occupational Therapists pay range in Buffalo
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $60,560 a year or less, while the top 10% make $106,620 or more. The middle half of occupational therapists in Buffalo earn between $65,890 and $101,050.
- $61K10th
- $66K25th
- $82KMedian
- $101K75th
- $107K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $83,790 | $6,982 | $40.28 |
| Median | $81,560 | $6,797 | $39.21 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $65,890 | $5,491 | $31.68 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $101,050 | $8,421 | $48.58 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Occupational Therapists pay in Buffalo vs. New York and the U.S.
Occupational therapists in Buffalo earn 14% less than the New York average ($97,650) and 17% less than the U.S. average ($101,280). At the median the gap is -19% against the U.S. median of $100,330.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | $83,790 | $81,560 | $60,560 | $106,620 | 970 |
| New York | $97,650 | $96,390 | $64,770 | $133,700 | 11,690 |
| United States | $101,280 | $100,330 | $71,690 | $131,950 | 162,450 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Occupational Therapists salary after taxes in Buffalo
On the average salary of $83,790, a single filer in Buffalo takes home about $63,773 a year, or $5,314 a month and $2,453 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
Is Buffalo a good place for occupational therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Buffalo area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.8), so the average $83,790 buys what about $87,423 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Buffalo ($50,790). A typical home costs $288,316, or 3.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Occupational Therapists salary in other New York cities
Buffalo ranks 13th of 13 New York metro areas for this job; New York pays the most ($107,110).
- New York$107,110
- Ithaca$99,060
- Kiryas Joel$98,060
- Kingston$94,650
- Elmira$92,060
- Watertown$90,540
- Glens Falls$90,420
- Syracuse$89,860
- Binghamton$88,650
- Buffalo$83,790
Highest-paying cities for occupational therapists
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($137,450).
- San Jose, CA$137,450
- San Francisco, CA$136,250
- Santa Cruz, CA$131,980
- Vallejo, CA$128,760
- Santa Rosa, CA$128,610
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Occupational Therapists salary in Buffalo: questions
How much do occupational therapists make an hour in Buffalo?
$40.29 an hour on average, and $39.21 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level occupational therapists salary in Buffalo?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $60,560 a year and the 25th percentile is $65,890, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the occupational therapists take-home pay in Buffalo?
About $63,773 a year ($5,314 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $83,790. New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
Do occupational therapists earn more in Buffalo than elsewhere?
The average here is 17% less than the U.S. average for this job ($101,280).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1122; area Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY (15380). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.3%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.73, this job is 1.7 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.