Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Bangor, ME: $65,305 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Bangor, ME earns a median $65,305/year (≈ $31.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Bangor's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $67,668 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.8% below the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Bangor, ME, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $65,305, which lags behind the national median of $74,332 by approximately 12.14%. Individuals in this role can expect compensation to range from $49,832 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $83,502 for those earning at the higher end (90th percentile). These figures stem from detailed analyses by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) based on 2025 OEWS data. This pay structure is heavily influenced by the type of healthcare setting in which an occupational therapy assistant is employed, with skilled nursing facilities typically offering lower salaries compared to hospital-based positions, a trend accentuated by recent Medicare cuts impacting reimbursement rates. In a region with unique economic challenges, understanding the dynamics between various therapy settings can provide valuable insights for job seekers in Bangor.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,832 | $23.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,542 | $29.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,305 | $31.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,637 | $36.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,502 | $40.15 |
Median Salary Position
12.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bangor
In Bangor, ME, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,670 (2026 est.). At $65,305, the local median is 12.14% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bangor: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bangor Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Bangor median: $65,305/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bangor Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $74,042 | -11.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.14% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bangor, ME earn a median of $65,305 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.14% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 11.80% below the Maine state average of $74,042.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bangor has a cost of living 3.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bangor, ME has a cost-of-living index of 96.508 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,305 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,668 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,040
2025 BLS Actual
$63,520
2026 Current Est.
$65,305
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bangor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,297 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,234 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,448 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,872 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,003 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,305 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,140 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bangor metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $54,040 (2019) to $63,520 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,140 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,100 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bangor 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) | $49,832 – $61,542 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,542 – $65,305 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,305 – $75,637 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,637 – $83,502 |
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 Bangor
Analyzing the local job market, there are 40 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Bangor, a number that reflects steady demand yet also highlights potential competition within the field. With a cost-of-living index of 96.508, which is below the national average, the purchasing power for COTAs in Bangor offers some buffer against the comparatively lower salaries in this area. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehab facilities tend to provide the most competitive pay, outperforming skilled nursing facilities and school districts, particularly in light of the 15% reimbursement cut to Medicare Part B services that has created wage disparities across settings. COTAs aiming to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Bangor, ME, may benefit from seeking year-round contracts and considering positions that offer weekend or PRN premiums, while also exploring opportunities for bridge pathways to enhance their qualifications and earning potential within the evolving landscape of healthcare services.
More salary data for Bangor, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Bangor, ME in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Bangor?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Bangor?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Bangor?
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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 $63,520 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Bangor 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, 2-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