OT Assistant Salary

Bangor vs Lewiston: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Bangor, ME and Lewiston, ME. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bangor, ME
$65,305
$31.40/hr
Lewiston, ME
$72,931
$35.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBangor, MELewiston, ME
Median Salary$65,305$72,931
Hourly Rate$31.40$35.06
Entry Level (P10)$49,832$52,685
25th Percentile$61,542$62,013
75th Percentile$75,637$78,716
Top Earner (P90)$83,502$87,445
Total Employed407
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bangor ($65,305) and Lewiston ($72,931) occupational therapy assistant salaries.BangorLewistonMedian Salary$65,305$72,931Entry Level (P10)$49,832$52,685Top Earner (P90)$83,502$87,445US Median $74,332

Verdict

Lewiston, ME offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bangor.

The salary gap between Bangor and Lewiston is $7,626 (11.68%). Lewiston's median is -1.88% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bangor spans $33,670,Lewiston spans $34,760. Lewiston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Bangor
P10 (Entry)$49,832
P25$61,542
Median$65,305
P75$75,637
P90 (Top)$83,502
Lewiston
P10 (Entry)$52,685
P25$62,013
Median$72,931
P75$78,716
P90 (Top)$87,445

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lewiston ($73,224 effective) pays 8.21% more than Bangor ($67,668 effective).

Bangor
Nominal: $65,305
CoL Index: 96.508
Adjusted: $67,668
Lewiston
Nominal: $72,931
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $73,224

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bangor if…

  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Lewiston if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,931/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($87,445)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,224)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Bangor grew 4.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 42.4% growth in Lewiston over the same period.

Bangor, ME

+4.1%

$61,003 (2024) → $63,520 (2025)

Lewiston, ME

+42.4%

$49,800 (2019) → $70,938 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Bangor or Lewiston?

Lewiston has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $72,931/year, compared to Bangor at $65,305/year — a difference of $7,626 (11.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bangor and Lewiston?

Bangor occupational therapy assistants earn $31.40/hr while Lewiston hygienists earn $35.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bangor to Lewiston as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bangor and Lewiston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bangor = $67,668, Lewiston = $73,224), job availability (40 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Bangor vs Lewiston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $49,832 in Bangor and $52,685 in Lewiston. The Lewiston 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