OT Assistant Salary

Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Braintree, MA: $77,840 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Braintree, MA earns a median $77,840/year (≈ $37.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Braintree's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $71,742 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Massachusetts state average.

$77,840
Median Annual Salary
$37.42/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$59,681
Entry Level (P10)
$95,021
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Braintree, MA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Braintree, MA occupational therapy assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Braintree, Massachusetts, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants is $77,840 for 2026, reflecting a slight increase compared to the national average of $74,332. The salary range varies significantly, with the bottom 10% earning approximately $59,681 while the top 10% can make as much as $95,021. These figures are estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living factors. As employment opportunities within Braintree grow—especially with the increasing prevalence of services requiring occupational therapy—the potential for higher lifetime earnings in this field is evident, particularly for those pursuing further education and bridging from COTA to MOT.

About the Braintree Market

Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$59,681$28.69
Lower Range (P25)$68,979$33.17
Median (P50)(typical)$77,840$37.42
Upper Range (P75)$85,044$40.89
Top Earners (P90)$95,021$45.68

Median Salary Position

$59,681$95,021
City Median: $77,840
National: $74,332
P10–P90 Range

4.72% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Braintree

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for occupational therapy assistants in Braintree. The median salary is $77,840, compared to the national median of $74,332.$53.7K$65.2K$76.7K$88.3K$99.8K$59.7K10th Pctl$69.0K25th Pctl$77.8KMedian$85.0K75th Pctl$95.0K90th PctlUS Median$74.3K

In Braintree, MA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,340 (2026 est.). At $77,840, the local median is 4.72% above the national median of $74,332.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of occupational therapy assistant pay in the Braintree metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,497
per week
$6,487
per month
$77,840
per year

At 40 hours/week in Braintree: You'd be above the median

How Braintree Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares

Braintree median: $77,840/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryBraintree Pays
Massachusetts Average$80,663-3.50% less
National Average$74,332+4.72% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing occupational therapy assistant median salary in Braintree ($77,840) with Massachusetts average ($80,663) and the US national median ($74,332).Braintree$77,840Massachusetts Avg$80,663-3.50%US National$74,332+4.72%

Occupational Therapy Assistants in Braintree, MA earn a median of $77,840 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.72% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $80,663.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$77,840
Nominal Salary
108.5
CoL Index
$71,742
Adjusted Salary

Braintree has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $77,840. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 108.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $71,742, a loss of $6,098.$61.0K$68.1K$75.2K$82.4K$89.5K$77,840NominalSalary$71,742CoL Adjusted(CoL: 108.5) -7.83%US Median $74.3K

Braintree, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,840 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,742 — a 7.83% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$64,413

2025 BLS Actual

$75,712

2026 Current Est.

$77,840

2019–2027 Growth

+24.2%

Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Braintree (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 Braintree. Baseline $64,413 in 2025, projected to $80,027 by 2027.$61.3K$66.8K$72.2K$77.7K$83.1K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$64.4K$65.9K$64.6K$67.3K$70.2K$75.4K$75.7K$77.8K$80.0K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$64,413Actual
2020$65,910Actual
2021$64,643Actual
2022$67,282Actual
2023$70,172Actual
2024$75,398Actual
2025$75,712Actual
2026(current)$77,840Estimated
2027$80,027Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Braintree metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $64,413 (2019) to $75,712 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,027 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,614 (24.24%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Braintree 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.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$59,681$68,979
3-5 years (Mid Career)$68,979$77,840
5+ years (Experienced)$77,840$85,044
10+ years (Top Earner)$85,044$95,021

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 Braintree

Within Braintree’s local job market, there are currently seven occupational therapy assistants employed, indicating a tight-knit community that could affect job availability and competition. With a cost-of-living index at 108.5, this region ranks higher than the national average, meaning that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power may be impacted. Employers that typically offer higher compensation include hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and outpatient clinics, contrasting with school districts and skilled nursing facilities, which may face budget restrictions, especially in light of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts introduced in 2022. Factors like weekend and PRN shifts can lead to additional pay premiums. To maximize earnings, aspiring occupational therapy assistants in Braintree should consider diversifying their skill set and seeking roles in higher-paying settings, taking into account the varying productivity expectations associated with different work environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Braintree, MA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median occupational therapy assistant salary in Braintree is $77,840/year ($37.42/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.81% annual growth). Salaries range from $59,681 at entry level (10th percentile) to $95,021 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Braintree at 4.7% above the national median. Full-time occupational therapy assistants typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Braintree, MA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?

Braintree occupational therapy assistant salaries are 4.7% above the national average and 3.5% below the Massachusetts state average. The metro area employs approximately 7 occupational therapy assistants. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Braintree?

The median occupational therapy assistant salary in Braintree is $77,840, and the 90th percentile earns $95,021. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Braintree?

After adjusting for Braintree's cost-of-living index of 108.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $77,840 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $71,742 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Braintree reduce the effective value of your salary by 7.8% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Braintree?

Occupational Therapy Assistants in Braintree earn a median hourly rate of $37.42, which translates to approximately $77,840/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $28.69 for entry-level positions to $45.68 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem occupational therapy assistants sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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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

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 $75,712 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Braintree 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 Braintree is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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