Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Hartford, CT: $73,766 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Hartford, CT earns a median $73,766/year (≈ $35.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Hartford's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.7), that paycheck buys what $71,795 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Connecticut state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hartford, Connecticut, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 is $73,766, slightly beneath the national median of $74,332. The salary range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at around $60,730 while more experienced professionals can earn up to $84,685. These figures originate from analyses based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The job market in Hartford for occupational therapy assistants reflects varying demands across different sectors, particularly as the effects of the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut continue to reshape salaries, especially in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics where financial pressures are felt most acutely.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,814 | $30.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,766 | $35.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,354 | $39.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,685 | $40.71 |
Median Salary Position
0.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hartford
In Hartford, CT, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,955 (2026 est.). At $73,766, the local median is 0.76% below the national median of $74,332.
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How Hartford Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Hartford median: $73,766/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hartford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $75,118 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -0.76% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hartford, CT earn a median of $73,766 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.76% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.80% below the Connecticut state average of $75,118.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hartford has a cost of living 2.75% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hartford, CT has a cost-of-living index of 102.746 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,766 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,795 — a 2.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,090
2025 BLS Actual
$71,750
2026 Current Est.
$73,766
2019–2027 Growth
+13.0%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hartford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,766 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,839 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hartford metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 6.9% from $67,090 (2019) to $71,750 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,839 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,749 (13.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hartford 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $60,730 – $63,814 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,814 – $73,766 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,766 – $81,354 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,354 – $84,685 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Hartford
With approximately 240 occupational therapy assistants employed in Hartford, the local job market remains robust yet competitive. The cost of living index sits at 102.746, slightly above the national average, meaning that while salaries are relatively attractive, they may not stretch as far as one might expect. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehab facilities tend to offer the highest pay, reflecting the complexity and intensity of care in these settings, compared to schools and skilled nursing facilities. The wage variability stems from several factors, including productivity expectations and the impact of seasonal contracts in educational settings. To maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Hartford CT, professionals should seek roles in higher-paying environments like hospitals, consider year-round positions, and remain attentive to the evolving service demands shaped by Medicare policies.
More salary data for Hartford, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $71,750 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Hartford metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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