Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Boston, MA: $37.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Boston, MA runs $37.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,416 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Boston's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.3, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,447 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boston, Massachusetts, the median occupational therapy assistant hourly pay sits at $37.22, surpassing the national median hourly rate of $35.74. This competitive rate provides attractive earning potential for part-time and per-diem workers in various therapy settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. For those who may work three days a week, the hourly compensation translates well into a steady income, allowing occupational therapy assistants to maintain a work-life balance while still earning an above-average wage. With an hourly range from $20.82 at the entry level up to $41.30 for experienced practitioners, Boston's market offers promising opportunities for both new COTAs and seasoned professionals alike, as supported by official Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.82 | $166.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.06 | $240.49 |
| Median (P50) | $37.22 | $297.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.72 | $317.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.30 | $330.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Boston
Based on $37.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.22/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Boston, MA can expect to earn approximately $77,412 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,661. With a cost-of-living index of 108.27 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Boston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Boston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,488.69 | $6,451 | $77,412 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $893.21 | $3,871 | $46,447 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $595.48 | $2,580 | $30,965 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Boston) | $37.22 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Boston, MA earn a median of $77,416 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.15% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 4.00% below the Massachusetts state average of $80,642.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.22/hr = $46,447/year (purchasing power: $42,901).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,412/year (purchasing power: $71,502).
CoL index: 108.266 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Boston grew 16.9% from $30.96/hr (2019) to $36.20/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.26/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston 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.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Boston
Within this framework, part-time occupational therapy assistants can expect varying take-home earnings when working 24 hours a week, receiving a reliable paycheck without committing to full-time hours. Some per-diem occupational therapy assistant contracts in Boston can bill anywhere from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts offering even higher weeklies between $1,100 and $1,700. However, the landscape for agency-based COTAs saw a shift after the 15% Medicare cut implemented in 2022, which has affected premium pays in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient environments. Employers across settings—such as school districts and home health agencies—can offer different hourly rates, prompting some to choose jobs that provide health insurance benefits despite slightly lower hourly pay. For those engaging with hourly negotiations, understanding specific employer budgets and the recent shifts in reimbursement rates will be crucial for maximizing compensation.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Boston in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Boston?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Boston paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Boston?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Boston?
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Boston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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