Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Arlington, MA: $79,448 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Arlington, MA earns a median $79,448/year (≈ $38.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Arlington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $73,224 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Arlington, Massachusetts can expect a median annual salary of $79,448, reflecting a competitive position in the market when compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary for this role ranges significantly, from $57,393 at the 10th percentile to $92,448 at the 90th percentile, based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments. With the ongoing structural divide among different healthcare settings—such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), hospitals, and schools—occupational therapy assistant pay in Arlington is impacted by the realities of post-Medicare cut compensation. The evolving demand for skilled services continues to influence pay levels, making specific settings more favorable for employment opportunities for aspiring COTAs.
About the Arlington Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,393 | $27.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,555 | $32.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,448 | $38.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,751 | $41.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,448 | $44.44 |
Median Salary Position
6.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington
In Arlington, MA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,055 (2026 est.). At $79,448, the local median is 6.88% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington: You'd be above the median
How Arlington Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Arlington median: $79,448/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $80,658 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +6.88% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Arlington, MA earn a median of $79,448 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.88% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $80,658.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,448 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,224 — a 7.83% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$65,744
2025 BLS Actual
$77,277
2026 Current Est.
$79,448
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Arlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,744 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,273 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,979 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,673 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,623 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,955 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,277 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,448 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,681 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $65,744 (2019) to $77,277 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,681 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,937 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington 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) | $57,393 – $67,555 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,555 – $79,448 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,448 – $85,751 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,751 – $92,448 |
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 Arlington
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants reflects stability, with nine professionals currently employed in Arlington. The higher cost of living in the area, indicated by a cost-of-living index of 108.5, influences take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, hospitals and outpatient clinics tend to offer the most competitive pay compared to school districts and SNFs, which have felt the tightening effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. Factors such as productivity expectations and the contractual nature of school-year versus year-round positions contribute to the varying salary scale. For those looking to maximize their earnings as occupational therapy assistants in Arlington, pursuing settings that align with healthcare demands—like hospital inpatient rehabilitation—could be a strategic move, alongside remaining aware of potential weekend or PRN shifts that may come with higher pay rates.
More salary data for Arlington, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Arlington, MA in 2026?
Is Arlington, MA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Arlington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Arlington?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Arlington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $77,277 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Arlington 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 Arlington 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