OT Assistant Salary

Concord vs Rochester: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Concord, NH and Rochester, NH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Concord, NH
$76,000
$36.54/hr
Rochester, NH
$76,774
$36.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConcord, NHRochester, NH
Median Salary$76,000$76,774
Hourly Rate$36.54$36.91
Entry Level (P10)$57,008$58,855
25th Percentile$66,179$67,788
75th Percentile$83,538$83,641
Top Earner (P90)$93,602$93,328
Total Employed117
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Concord ($76,000) and Rochester ($76,774) occupational therapy assistant salaries.ConcordRochesterMedian Salary$76,000$76,774Entry Level (P10)$57,008$58,855Top Earner (P90)$93,602$93,328US Median $74,332

Verdict

Concord and Rochester are closely matched on overall occupational therapy assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Concord and Rochester is $774 (1.02%). Rochester's median is +3.29% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Concord spans $36,594,Rochester spans $34,473. Concord has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Concord
P10 (Entry)$57,008
P25$66,179
Median$76,000
P75$83,538
P90 (Top)$93,602
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$58,855
P25$67,788
Median$76,774
P75$83,641
P90 (Top)$93,328

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($71,551 effective) pays 1.02% more than Concord ($70,829 effective).

Concord
Nominal: $76,000
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $70,829
Rochester
Nominal: $76,774
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $71,551

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Concord if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($93,602)
  • Larger job market (11 employed)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,774/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,551)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Concord grew 6.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.3% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Concord, NH

+6.3%

$69,527 (2024) → $73,923 (2025)

Rochester, NH

+6.3%

$70,234 (2024) → $74,676 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Concord or Rochester?

Rochester has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $76,774/year, compared to Concord at $76,000/year — a difference of $774 (1.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Concord and Rochester?

Concord occupational therapy assistants earn $36.54/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $36.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Concord to Rochester as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Concord and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Concord = $70,829, Rochester = $71,551), job availability (11 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Concord vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $57,008 in Concord and $58,855 in Rochester. The Rochester 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