OT Assistant Salary

Dracut vs Springfield: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Dracut, MA
$77,251
$37.15/hr
Springfield, MA
$66,055
$31.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDracut, MASpringfield, MA
Median Salary$77,251$66,055
Hourly Rate$37.15$31.76
Entry Level (P10)$58,599$39,849
25th Percentile$67,750$50,850
75th Percentile$83,832$77,683
Top Earner (P90)$92,984$79,061
Total Employed6120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dracut ($77,251) and Springfield ($66,055) occupational therapy assistant salaries.DracutSpringfieldMedian Salary$77,251$66,055Entry Level (P10)$58,599$39,849Top Earner (P90)$92,984$79,061US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dracut and Springfield is $11,196 (16.95%). Dracut's median is +3.93% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dracut spans $34,385,Springfield spans $39,212. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Dracut
P10 (Entry)$58,599
P25$67,750
Median$77,251
P75$83,832
P90 (Top)$92,984
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$39,849
P25$50,850
Median$66,055
P75$77,683
P90 (Top)$79,061

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dracut ($71,199 effective) pays 3.54% more than Springfield ($68,764 effective).

Dracut
Nominal: $77,251
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $71,199
Springfield
Nominal: $66,055
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $68,764

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dracut if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,251/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,984)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,199)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Dracut grew 0.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.2% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Dracut, MA

+0.4%

$74,828 (2024) → $75,140 (2025)

Springfield, MA

+21.2%

$53,000 (2019) → $64,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Dracut or Springfield?

Dracut has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $77,251/year, compared to Springfield at $66,055/year — a difference of $11,196 (16.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dracut and Springfield?

Dracut occupational therapy assistants earn $37.15/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $31.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dracut to Springfield as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dracut and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dracut = $71,199, Springfield = $68,764), job availability (6 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Dracut vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $58,599 in Dracut and $39,849 in Springfield. The Dracut 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