Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Weymouth, MA: $55,429 (2026)
Quick Answer:New occupational therapy assistants entering the Weymouth, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $55,429 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Weymouth's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $51,087 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($80,486) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting wages for new graduates pursuing an occupational therapy assistant position in Weymouth, Massachusetts are projected to begin at around $55,429 in 2026. This figure may seem modest compared to the median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in the area, which stands at $80,486, indicating a significant gap for those entering the field. However, there’s an encouraging growth trajectory for early-career professionals: they can anticipate moving from the starting pay through to around $69,744 within just a few years, as they build experience and begin to ascend toward the city’s median salary. Together with a projected growth rate of 2.81% annually, Weymouth presents a viable market for new graduates, particularly given the demand for qualified professionals in local healthcare settings.
About the Weymouth Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Weymouth
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Weymouth
Entry-level occupational therapy assistants in Weymouth, MA typically start between $55,429 and $69,744 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $47,961 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $80,486 — 8.28% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average occupational therapy program cost in Massachusetts of $38,000 represents just 68.56% of the starting occupational therapy assistant pay ($55,429/year) in Weymouth. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACOTE-accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school settings.
OTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Weymouth
- 1Research the Weymouth market: entry-level occupational therapy assistant pay ranges from $55,429 to $69,744, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the occupational therapy field — employers in MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Weymouth, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Weymouth for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Weymouth's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Compensation Range
The occupational therapy assistant wage spread in Weymouth is $47,961 ( 86.53%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $55,429, experienced hygienists can earn up to $103,390.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,695
2025 BLS Actual
$53,914
2026 Current Est.
$55,429
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Weymouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,695 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,213 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,014 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,197 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,961 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,147 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,914 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,429 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,987 | Projected |
Entry-level occupational therapy assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Weymouth, MA grew 23.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $43,695 in 2019 to $53,914 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $56,987. New graduates entering the Weymouth job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Weymouth metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your occupational therapy Career in Weymouth
Newly minted occupational therapy assistants looking to secure their first roles in Weymouth may find success with skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), which tend to hire fresh graduates more frequently compared to other settings that might prefer seasoned COTAs. Additionally, school districts can offer appealing summer-off schedules, allowing new grads time to focus on professional development or internships. As for qualifications, obtaining an Associate’s degree from an ACOTE-accredited program is vital, followed by passing the NBCOT national exam to earn the COTA credential and obtaining the necessary state license. With centers that supervise COTAs under current Medicare guidelines, early-career professionals should strategize their growth, particularly given the 15% Medicare Part B cut affecting reimbursements since 2022. Within their first few years, entering the workforce with the right credentials and staying informed about industry shifts will help that initial salary grow substantially in a competitive market like Weymouth, MA.
More salary data for Weymouth, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for occupational therapy assistants in Weymouth in 2026?
How fast do occupational therapy assistant salaries grow in Weymouth?
Is occupational therapy school worth it in Weymouth?
What do new occupational therapy assistants make right out of school in Weymouth?
How do I become a occupational therapy assistant in Massachusetts?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new occupational therapy graduates. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Weymouth. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Weymouth is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
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