Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Massachusetts: $77,446 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Massachusetts's 58 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $77,446/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because Massachusetts sits at BEA RPP 108.5 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,379 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lynn ($80,571), Somerville ($79,516), Revere ($79,392).
For those considering a career as an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) in Massachusetts, the projected average median salary for 2026 stands at $77,447, which is 4.2% higher than the national average of $74,332. Salary variations can be significant across the state, with the highest-paying city being Lynn at $82,835, while Springfield offers the lowest at $66,055. This gap of $16,780 may be influenced by factors such as local demand for services, cost of living, and availability of healthcare facilities. Massachusetts requires OTAs to hold state licenses, adhering to specific scope of practice laws which can impact job responsibilities and salary potential. The projected annual growth rate in this field is 2.81%, indicating a steady demand for OTAs in various settings. The total number of OTAs employed in the state is expected to reach 1,797, reflecting the ongoing need for assistance in rehabilitation and therapy services. Other cities with competitive salaries include Somerville at $81,750, Revere at $81,623, Brockton at $81,343, and New Bedford at $81,252, further demonstrating the varied opportunities across the region. Overall, the occupational therapy assistant job market in Massachusetts shows promising prospects for both new and experienced professionals.
Massachusetts Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Massachusetts: $39,849 (lowest entry-level) to $105,014 (highest top earner)
Massachusetts vs National Average
Massachusetts occupational therapy assistants earn 4.19% more than the national median (+$3,114/year difference).
Massachusetts Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Massachusetts range from $48,665 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $89,344 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $77,446. The Massachusetts median is $3,114 above the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $37.23/hr. Approximately 1,797 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 58 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,855
2025 BLS Actual
$75,330
2026 Current Est.
$77,446
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Massachusetts (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,855 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,752 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,635 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,651 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,847 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,145 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,446 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,623 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 19.8% from $62,855 (2019) to $75,330 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,623 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,768 (26.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Massachusetts 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Massachusetts
Lowest Paying Cities in Massachusetts
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Springfield | $66,055 |
| Cambridge | $75,567 |
| Andover | $76,363 |
| Leominster | $76,550 |
| Wellesley | $76,619 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Massachusetts
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Massachusetts cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $77,282 | 98.351 | $78,578 |
| Worcester | $78,722 | 102.523 | $76,785 |
| Lynn | $82,835 | 108.5 | $76,346 |
| Somerville | $81,750 | 108.5 | $75,346 |
| Revere | $81,623 | 108.5 | $75,229 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Massachusetts
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,665 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $77,446 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $89,344 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Massachusetts metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 58 Cities in Massachusetts
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lynn | $82,835 |
| 2 | Somerville | $81,750 |
| 3 | Revere | $81,623 |
| 4 | Brockton | $81,343 |
| 5 | New Bedford | $81,252 |
| 6 | Plymouth | $81,201 |
| 7 | Malden | $80,907 |
| 8 | Haverhill | $80,895 |
| 9 | Lowell | $80,873 |
| 10 | Framingham | $80,837 |
| 11 | Peabody | $80,728 |
| 12 | Weymouth | $80,486 |
| 13 | Chicopee | $80,243 |
| 14 | Randolph | $80,155 |
| 15 | Quincy | $80,013 |
| 16 | Amherst | $79,917 |
| 17 | Chelsea | $79,911 |
| 18 | Medford | $79,694 |
| 19 | Fall River | $79,617 |
| 20 | Marlborough | $79,617 |
| 21 | Watertown | $79,605 |
| 22 | Pittsfield | $79,548 |
| 23 | Fitchburg | $79,542 |
| 24 | Methuen | $79,511 |
| 25 | Taunton | $79,476 |
| 26 | Arlington | $79,448 |
| 27 | Needham | $79,242 |
| 28 | Westfield | $79,204 |
| 29 | Everett | $79,191 |
| 30 | Holyoke | $78,784 |
| 31 | Worcester | $78,722 |
| 32 | Beverly | $78,654 |
| 33 | Lawrence | $78,653 |
| 34 | Dartmouth | $78,559 |
| 35 | Waltham | $78,480 |
| 36 | Barnstable | $78,397 |
| 37 | Brookline | $78,225 |
| 38 | Billerica | $78,103 |
| 39 | Braintree | $77,840 |
| 40 | Salem | $77,708 |
| 41 | Natick | $77,659 |
| 42 | Boston | $77,416 |
| 43 | Barnstable Town | $77,282 |
| 44 | Dracut | $77,251 |
| 45 | Lexington | $77,201 |
| 46 | Stoughton | $77,201 |
| 47 | Northampton | $77,195 |
| 48 | Shrewsbury | $77,101 |
| 49 | Franklin | $76,895 |
| 50 | Attleboro | $76,832 |
| 51 | Newton | $76,794 |
| 52 | Woburn | $76,732 |
| 53 | Chelmsford | $76,663 |
| 54 | Wellesley | $76,619 |
| 55 | Leominster | $76,550 |
| 56 | Andover | $76,363 |
| 57 | Cambridge | $75,567 |
| 58 | Springfield | $66,055 |
More Massachusetts Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Massachusetts cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Compare Cities in Massachusetts
View all comparisons →Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Massachusetts in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Massachusetts?
How does Massachusetts occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Massachusetts?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Massachusetts?
Which Massachusetts city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
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
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 Massachusetts. State averages are employment-weighted across 58 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, 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