OT Assistant Salary

Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Maine: $67,168 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $67,168/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $67,438 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lewiston ($70,938), Scarborough ($68,706), Biddeford ($68,132).

Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Maine - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Maine occupational therapy assistant salary overview (2026)
$67,168
Avg Median Salary
$32.29
Avg Hourly Rate
142
Metro Employed
10
Cities

In 2026, occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Maine can expect an average median salary of $67,168, which is 9.6% lower than the national median of $74,332. There is a noticeable salary variation across the state, with Lewiston being the highest paying city at $72,931, while Bangor offers the lowest salary at $65,305. This difference of $7,626 may be attributed to factors such as local demand for OT services, cost of living adjustments, and the presence of healthcare facilities. Maine has specific state licensing requirements for OTAs and laws that define their scope of practice, which can influence job opportunities and earnings. The state’s population demographics, particularly an aging population needing rehabilitation services, drive demand for occupational therapy services, suggesting a stable job market. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.81%, the OTA profession in Maine is set for modest expansion. In addition to Lewiston, other cities that show promise for OTAs include Scarborough ($70,637), Biddeford ($70,047), Augusta ($69,812), and Auburn ($69,573). These figures indicate that while salaries may be lower than the national average, there are competitive opportunities throughout Maine’s various regions.

Maine Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$53,547
avg across 10 cities
Median
$67,168
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$80,371
avg across 10 cities

Overall salary range in Maine: $49,832 (lowest entry-level) to $87,445 (highest top earner)

Maine vs National Average

Maine
$67,168
National Median
$74,332

Maine occupational therapy assistants earn 9.64% less than the national median ($-7,164/year difference).

Maine Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Maine occupational therapy assistant salary percentiles: 10th percentile $53,547, 25th $63,441, Median $67,168, 75th $75,225, 90th $80,371. US national median is $74,332.$22.5K$45.0K$67.5K$90.0K$53.5K10thEntry Level$63.4K25thEarly Career$67.2KMedianMid Career$75.2K75thExperienced$80.4K90thTop EarnerUS Median $74.3K

Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Maine range from $53,547 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $80,371 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $67,168. The Maine median is $7,164 below the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $32.29/hr. Approximately 142 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 10 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$49,800

2025 BLS Actual

$65,332

2026 Current Est.

$67,168

2019–2027 Growth

+38.7%

Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Maine (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for occupational therapy assistants in Maine. Baseline $49,800 in 2025, projected to $69,056 by 2027.$45.9K$52.7K$59.4K$66.2K$72.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$49.8K$51.2K$55.8K$55.2K$62.0K$60.3K$65.3K$67.2K$69.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$49,800Actual
2020$51,240Actual
2021$55,781Actual
2022$55,220Actual
2023$62,050Actual
2024$60,261Actual
2025$65,332Actual
2026(current)$67,168Estimated
2027$69,056Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 31.2% from $49,800 (2019) to $65,332 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,056 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,256 (38.67%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maine metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maine

#1
Lewiston
7 employed · $35.06/hr
$72,931
+8.58% vs avg
#2
Scarborough
5 employed · $33.96/hr
$70,637
+5.16% vs avg
#3
Biddeford
6 employed · $33.68/hr
$70,047
+4.29% vs avg
#4
Augusta
4 employed · $33.57/hr
$69,812
+3.94% vs avg
#5
Auburn
6 employed · $33.44/hr
$69,573
+3.58% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Maine

CityMedian Salary
Bangor$65,305
South Portland$66,233
Portland$66,518
Brunswick$68,509
Sanford$69,161

Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Maine

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Lewiston$72,93199.6$73,224
Scarborough$70,63799.6$70,921
Biddeford$70,04799.6$70,328
Augusta$69,81299.6$70,092
Auburn$69,57399.6$69,852

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Maine

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$53,547
Mid Career (3-7 years)$67,168
Experienced (7+ years)$80,371

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maine metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 10 Cities in Maine

#CityMedian Salary
1Lewiston$72,931
2Scarborough$70,637
3Biddeford$70,047
4Augusta$69,812
5Auburn$69,573
6Sanford$69,161
7Brunswick$68,509
8Portland$66,518
9South Portland$66,233
10Bangor$65,305

More Maine Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Maine cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new occupational therapy assistants.

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Maine in 2026?

The average median occupational therapy assistant salary in Maine is $67,168/year across 10 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $65,305 in Bangor to $72,931 in Lewiston. This makes Maine 9.64% below the national median of $74,332. The state employs approximately 142 occupational therapy assistants.

What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Maine?

Lewiston offers the highest occupational therapy assistant salary in Maine at $72,931/year ($35.06/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Lewiston ($72,931), Scarborough ($70,637), Biddeford ($70,047). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for occupational therapy services, and competition among employers for licensed occupational therapy assistants.

How does Maine occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?

Maine's average occupational therapy assistant salary of $67,168 is 9.64% below the national median of $74,332 in 2026. The state employs approximately 142 occupational therapy assistants across 10 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Maine?

Entry-level occupational therapy assistants (10th percentile) in Maine earn approximately $53,547/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $49,832 in lower-paying areas to $56,854 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Maine?

Maine employs approximately 142 occupational therapy assistants across 10 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. The smaller workforce means positions may be less competitive but also fewer in number. Demand continues to grow as the occupational therapy field expands and the population ages.

Which Maine city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?

When adjusted for cost of living, Lewiston offers the highest purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants in Maine, with an adjusted salary of $73,224 (nominal: $72,931, CoL index: 99.6). This means your dollar goes 0% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
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

Statewide 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. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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

Last verified: