Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Fall River, MA: $79,617 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Fall River, MA earns a median $79,617/year (≈ $38.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Fall River's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $73,380 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fall River, Massachusetts, the projected median salary for an occupational therapy assistant in 2026 is $79,617, which is notably higher than the national median of $74,332. This figure reflects the local employment dynamics of the healthcare sector, where the recovery and growth in areas such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and rehabilitation hospitals are shaping compensation trends. Overall, salaries in the region range from $59,733 at the 10th percentile to $100,337 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are drawn from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions, highlighting the competitive landscape for therapeutic roles as providers adapt to post-Medicare cut realities and shifts in patient care needs throughout the region.
About the Fall River Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,733 | $28.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,694 | $33.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,617 | $38.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,589 | $42.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,337 | $48.24 |
Median Salary Position
7.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fall River
In Fall River, MA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,604 (2026 est.). At $79,617, the local median is 7.11% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Fall River: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fall River Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Fall River median: $79,617/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fall River Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $80,666 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +7.11% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fall River, MA earn a median of $79,617 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.11% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $80,666.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fall River has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fall River, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,617 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,380 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,884
2025 BLS Actual
$77,441
2026 Current Est.
$79,617
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fall River (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,884 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,415 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,119 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,819 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,775 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,119 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,441 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,617 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,854 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fall River metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $65,884 (2019) to $77,441 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,854 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,970 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fall River 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) | $59,733 – $69,694 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,694 – $79,617 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,617 – $88,589 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,589 – $100,337 |
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 Fall River
With 21 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Fall River, the job market reflects steady demand within this niche. The cost of living index sits at 108.5, suggesting that while salaries may be attractive, purchasing power may be constrained compared to national averages. Skilled nursing facilities often pay the most, primarily due to higher productivity expectations and the severity of patient needs in these settings. Conversely, school district positions tend to offer lower salaries, impacted by year-round contracts and the need to adhere to budgetary constraints. The ongoing 15% Medicare reimbursement cut introduced in 2022 has notably affected pay in SNFs and outpatient clinics, widening the salary disparity among settings. For those interested in maximizing their earnings in Fall River, seeking positions in higher-paying environments or specializing in areas that command increased reimbursement could be effective strategies.
More salary data for Fall River, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $77,441 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Fall River 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 Fall River 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