Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Chicopee, MA: $80,243 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Chicopee, MA earns a median $80,243/year (≈ $38.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Chicopee's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $73,957 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Projected for 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Chicopee, Massachusetts is set to reach a median of $80,243, outpacing the national median of $74,332 by 7.95%. Disbursements range from $54,872 at the 10th percentile to $102,590 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the competitive nature of the local job market. Salaries are influenced by the structural divide in practice settings, particularly post-Medicare cuts. Skilled nursing facilities often offer lower pay compared to schools or hospital settings that provide a more comprehensive array of services. These variations highlight the dynamics at play in Chicopee’s occupational therapy landscape where job opportunities do exist, but are juxtaposed with budget constraints imposed by healthcare policies.
About the Chicopee Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,872 | $26.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,183 | $31.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,243 | $38.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,921 | $41.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,590 | $49.32 |
Median Salary Position
7.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicopee
In Chicopee, MA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,718 (2026 est.). At $80,243, the local median is 7.95% above the national median of $74,332.
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How Chicopee Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Chicopee median: $80,243/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicopee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $80,646 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +7.95% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Chicopee, MA earn a median of $80,243 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.95% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $80,646.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicopee has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicopee, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,243 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,957 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,402
2025 BLS Actual
$78,050
2026 Current Est.
$80,243
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Chicopee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,402 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,946 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,639 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,339 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,725 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,243 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,498 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicopee metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $66,402 (2019) to $78,050 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,498 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,096 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicopee 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) | $54,872 – $66,183 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,183 – $80,243 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,243 – $86,921 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,921 – $102,590 |
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 Chicopee
In Chicopee, the job market for occupational therapy assistants is relatively stable, with approximately 10 professionals currently employed in the area. However, residents need to consider the cost of living index, which sits at 108.5, indicating that living expenses are above the national average, impacting take-home earnings. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically pay less than hospitals or outpatient clinics, largely due to heightened productivity demands and the ramifications of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts affecting service delivery. To maximize pay, occupational therapy assistants in Chicopee might consider pursuing employment within hospital-based rehab settings, where compensation is generally more favorable. Exploring year-round contracts and additional shifts may also help optimize overall earnings, given the fluctuations in pay across different practice settings within the region.
More salary data for Chicopee, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Chicopee, MA in 2026?
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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 $78,050 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Chicopee 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 Chicopee 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