Occupational Therapist Salary in Syracuse, NY
Occupational Therapists in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn a median $86,110 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $65,355 take-home, or $5,446 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median occupational therapist salary in Syracuse, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,114
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,339
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,249
- New York income tax$4,053
- Take-home pay$65,355
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.40% state
Occupational Therapist pay by experience in Syracuse, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,830 | $31.17 | $51,367 | $4,281 |
| 25th percentile | $73,990 | $35.57 | $57,484 | $4,790 |
| Median (50th) | $86,110 | $41.40 | $65,355 | $5,446 |
| 75th percentile | $106,440 | $51.17 | $78,471 | $6,539 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,980 | $57.68 | $87,197 | $7,266 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $86,110 buys in Syracuse, NY
Prices in Syracuse, NY are 4.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 19% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median occupational therapist's $65,355 take-home pay has the buying power of $68,262 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Syracuse, NY has 1.5× the national concentration of occupational therapist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for occupational therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Syracuse, NY ranks #57 of 65 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $122,050 | $94,687 | $96,555 |
| 2 | San Antonio, TX | $107,650 | $84,562 | $89,279 |
| 3 | Fayetteville, AR | $107,830 | $80,696 | $88,334 |
| 4 | Little Rock, AR | $104,680 | $78,603 | $87,958 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $110,520 | $86,581 | $86,395 |
| 6 | Dayton, OH | $103,840 | $79,808 | $86,099 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $136,870 | $94,538 | $85,614 |
| 8 | Oklahoma City, OK | $103,080 | $77,254 | $85,450 |
| 57 | Syracuse, NY | $86,110 | $65,355 | $68,262 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 65 metros →
Occupational Therapist salaries elsewhere in New York
- New York, NY — $101,460
- Albany, NY — $85,990
- Buffalo, NY — $81,560
- Rochester, NY — $81,750
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapist make in Syracuse, NY?
The median occupational therapist salary in the Syracuse, NY metro area is $86,110 a year, or about $41.40 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $73,990 and $106,440.
What is a occupational therapist’s take-home pay in Syracuse, NY?
On the median $86,110 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $65,355 a year ($5,446 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,053 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Syracuse, NY a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $100,330. Local prices are 4.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $68,262 would in a typical U.S. city. Syracuse, NY ranks #57 of 65 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a occupational therapist afford rent in Syracuse, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Syracuse, NY is $1,123 a month ($1,392 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median occupational therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Syracuse, NY
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $149,510
- Physician Assistant — $133,000
- Nurse Practitioner — $132,010
- Dental Hygienist — $93,640
- Physical Therapist — $92,080
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $87,860
- Registered Nurse — $86,960
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $85,120
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $79,250
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $62,880
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other — $51,020