Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in South Portland, ME: $66,233 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in South Portland, ME earns a median $66,233/year (≈ $31.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in South Portland's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $66,499 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.5% below the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in South Portland, Maine, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $66,233 in 2026, which reflects a competitive market position despite being approximately 10.90% lower than the national median of $74,332. The salary range for these professionals spans from $50,861 at the 10th percentile to $80,945 at the 90th percentile, presenting a variability that depends largely on the type of employer and specific job responsibilities. These figures, estimated based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, indicate a landscape influenced by the structural divide between skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and educational institutions, especially in the wake of Medicare reimbursement changes that have reshaped compensation dynamics in post-acute care settings.
About the South Portland Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,861 | $24.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,280 | $27.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,233 | $31.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,420 | $34.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,945 | $38.91 |
Median Salary Position
10.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Portland
In South Portland, ME, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,084 (2026 est.). At $66,233, the local median is 10.9% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in South Portland: You'd be above the median
How South Portland Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
South Portland median: $66,233/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $74,004 | -10.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -10.90% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Portland, ME earn a median of $66,233 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.90% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 10.50% below the Maine state average of $74,004.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Portland has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Portland, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $66,233 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,499 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,809
2025 BLS Actual
$64,423
2026 Current Est.
$66,233
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,809 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,083 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,005 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,709 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,567 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,423 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,233 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,094 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Portland metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $54,809 (2019) to $64,423 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,094 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,285 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Portland 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) | $50,861 – $57,280 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,280 – $66,233 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,233 – $72,420 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,420 – $80,945 |
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 South Portland
With only four occupational therapy assistants currently employed in South Portland, the local job market feels limited, but it positions COTAs uniquely to negotiate within the healthcare infrastructure. The cost-of-living index stands at 99.6, slightly below the national average, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch further than it would in higher-cost areas. Skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics tend to offer the most competitive compensation among local employers, particularly influenced by productivity expectations and the impact of the 15% Medicare cut that affects reimbursement rates for OTA services. Lower-paying roles typically arise in school districts that may contract for limited hours, creating a differentiation that can be strategic in choosing placements. Those looking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in South Portland, ME, should pursue positions in high-demand services and remain adaptable to evolving care models while considering the potential for full-time placement to enhance annual earnings.
More salary data for South Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in South Portland?
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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 $64,423 for occupational therapy assistantsin the South Portland 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
Salary data for South Portland 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