Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Methuen, MA: $79,511 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Methuen, MA earns a median $79,511/year (≈ $38.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Methuen's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $73,282 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Methuen, Massachusetts, offers a competitive occupational therapy assistant salary with a projected median of $79,511 in 2026, which is approximately 6.97% higher than the national median of $74,332. The salary range for occupational therapy assistants in this region spans from $59,491 at the 10th percentile to $99,988 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variation in pay based on experience and work settings. Notably, local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities reflect the unique economic climate in Methuen. This city presents opportunities for career advancement through the COTA-to-MOT bridge, which can significantly enhance lifetime earnings and job satisfaction in the occupational therapy field.
About the Methuen Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,491 | $28.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,479 | $33.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,511 | $38.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,337 | $42.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,988 | $48.07 |
Median Salary Position
6.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Methuen
In Methuen, MA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,497 (2026 est.). At $79,511, the local median is 6.97% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Methuen: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Methuen Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Methuen median: $79,511/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Methuen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $80,640 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +6.97% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Methuen, MA earn a median of $79,511 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.97% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.40% below the Massachusetts state average of $80,640.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Methuen has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Methuen, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,511 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,282 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,796
2025 BLS Actual
$77,338
2026 Current Est.
$79,511
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Methuen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,796 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,326 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,031 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,727 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,679 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,017 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,338 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,511 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,745 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Methuen metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $65,796 (2019) to $77,338 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,745 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,949 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Methuen 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) | $59,491 – $69,479 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,479 – $79,511 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,511 – $88,337 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,337 – $99,988 |
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 Methuen
The employment landscape for occupational therapy assistants in Methuen features about 12 professionals in a competitive market, with a cost-of-living index of 108.5 suggesting that living expenses exceed the national average. Given these factors, professionals in this field may find their take-home purchasing power influenced by their work environment, with skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation typically offering the highest compensation compared to school district contracts and outpatient clinics. Understanding the spread between lower and higher pay brackets hinges on various factors, such as productivity expectations and the effect of the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, making roles in hospital settings generally more lucrative. For those navigating this landscape, seeking employment in higher-paying institutions or specializing in high-demand areas can be effective strategies for maximizing occupational therapy assistant pay in Methuen, MA.
More salary data for Methuen, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Methuen?
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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 $77,338 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Methuen 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 Methuen 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