OT Assistant Salary

Boston vs Woburn: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Boston, MA and Woburn, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$77,416
$37.22/hr
Woburn, MA
$76,732
$36.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAWoburn, MA
Median Salary$77,416$76,732
Hourly Rate$37.22$36.89
Entry Level (P10)$43,304$57,364
25th Percentile$62,529$64,969
75th Percentile$82,608$82,550
Top Earner (P90)$85,898$91,562
Total Employed85010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($77,416) and Woburn ($76,732) occupational therapy assistant salaries.BostonWoburnMedian Salary$77,416$76,732Entry Level (P10)$43,304$57,364Top Earner (P90)$85,898$91,562US Median $74,332

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Woburn.

The salary gap between Boston and Woburn is $684 (0.89%). Boston's median is +4.15% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $42,594,Woburn spans $34,198. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$43,304
P25$62,529
Median$77,416
P75$82,608
P90 (Top)$85,898
Woburn
P10 (Entry)$57,364
P25$64,969
Median$76,732
P75$82,550
P90 (Top)$91,562

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($71,505 effective) pays 1.11% more than Woburn ($70,721 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $77,416
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $71,505
Woburn
Nominal: $76,732
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $70,721

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,416/year)
  • Larger job market (850 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,505)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Woburn if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($91,562)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Boston grew 16.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.4% growth in Woburn over the same period.

Boston, MA

+16.9%

$64,390 (2019) → $75,300 (2025)

Woburn, MA

+0.4%

$74,325 (2024) → $74,635 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Boston or Woburn?

Boston has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $77,416/year, compared to Woburn at $76,732/year — a difference of $684 (0.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Woburn?

Boston occupational therapy assistants earn $37.22/hr while Woburn hygienists earn $36.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Woburn as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Woburn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $71,505, Woburn = $70,721), job availability (850 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Boston vs Woburn?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $43,304 in Boston and $57,364 in Woburn. The Woburn area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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