OT Assistant Salary

Londonderry vs Salem: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Londonderry, NH
$76,781
$36.91/hr
Salem, NH
$77,832
$37.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLondonderry, NHSalem, NH
Median Salary$76,781$77,832
Hourly Rate$36.91$37.42
Entry Level (P10)$56,235$54,921
25th Percentile$66,094$65,293
75th Percentile$83,655$83,190
Top Earner (P90)$93,347$91,691
Total Employed68
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Londonderry ($76,781) and Salem ($77,832) occupational therapy assistant salaries.LondonderrySalemMedian Salary$76,781$77,832Entry Level (P10)$56,235$54,921Top Earner (P90)$93,347$91,691US Median $74,332

Verdict

Salem, NH offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Londonderry.

The salary gap between Londonderry and Salem is $1,051 (1.37%). Salem's median is +4.71% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Londonderry spans $37,112,Salem spans $36,770. Londonderry has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Londonderry
P10 (Entry)$56,235
P25$66,094
Median$76,781
P75$83,655
P90 (Top)$93,347
Salem
P10 (Entry)$54,921
P25$65,293
Median$77,832
P75$83,190
P90 (Top)$91,691

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salem ($72,537 effective) pays 1.37% more than Londonderry ($71,557 effective).

Londonderry
Nominal: $76,781
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $71,557
Salem
Nominal: $77,832
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $72,537

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Londonderry if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($93,347)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Choose Salem if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,832/year)
  • Larger job market (8 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,537)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Londonderry, NH

+6.3%

$70,240 (2024) → $74,682 (2025)

Salem, NH

+6.3%

$71,203 (2024) → $75,705 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Londonderry or Salem?

Salem has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $77,832/year, compared to Londonderry at $76,781/year — a difference of $1,051 (1.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Londonderry and Salem?

Londonderry occupational therapy assistants earn $36.91/hr while Salem hygienists earn $37.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Londonderry to Salem as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Londonderry and Salem. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Londonderry = $71,557, Salem = $72,537), job availability (6 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Londonderry vs Salem?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $56,235 in Londonderry and $54,921 in Salem. The Londonderry 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