OT Assistant Salary

Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Taunton, MA: $79,476 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Taunton, MA earns a median $79,476/year (≈ $38.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Taunton's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $73,250 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Massachusetts state average.

$79,476
Median Annual Salary
$38.21/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$59,404
Entry Level (P10)
$99,868
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

With a 2026 median annual salary of $79,476, occupational therapy assistants in Taunton, Massachusetts are positioned favorably when compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary spectrum for this role ranges from $59,404 at the 10th percentile to $99,868 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse settings and productivity expectations that characterize this profession. Estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments indicate that local compensation can vary significantly, influenced by factors such as work environment and specific job demands. As the demand for occupational therapy services continues to grow, the opportunities for competitive compensation in Taunton's job market remain promising.

About the Taunton Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$59,404$28.56
Lower Range (P25)$69,403$33.36
Median (P50)(typical)$79,476$38.21
Upper Range (P75)$88,257$42.43
Top Earners (P90)$99,868$48.01

Median Salary Position

$59,404$99,868
City Median: $79,476
National: $74,332
P10–P90 Range

6.92% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Taunton

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for occupational therapy assistants in Taunton. The median salary is $79,476, compared to the national median of $74,332.$53.5K$66.3K$79.2K$92.0K$104.9K$59.4K10th Pctl$69.4K25th Pctl$79.5KMedian$88.3K75th Pctl$99.9K90th PctlUS Median$74.3K

In Taunton, MA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,464 (2026 est.). At $79,476, the local median is 6.92% above the national median of $74,332.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,529
per week
$6,624
per month
$79,486
per year

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

How Taunton Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares

Taunton median: $79,476/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryTaunton Pays
Massachusetts Average$80,687-1.50% less
National Average$74,332+6.92% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing occupational therapy assistant median salary in Taunton ($79,476) with Massachusetts average ($80,687) and the US national median ($74,332).Taunton$79,476Massachusetts Avg$80,687-1.50%US National$74,332+6.92%

Occupational Therapy Assistants in Taunton, MA earn a median of $79,476 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.92% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $80,687.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$79,476
Nominal Salary
108.5
CoL Index
$73,250
Adjusted Salary

Taunton 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 $79,476. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 108.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $73,250, a loss of $6,226.$62.3K$69.5K$76.8K$84.1K$91.4K$79,476NominalSalary$73,250CoL Adjusted(CoL: 108.5) -7.83%US Median $74.3K

Taunton, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,476 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,250 — a 7.83% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$65,767

2025 BLS Actual

$77,304

2026 Current Est.

$79,476

2019–2027 Growth

+24.2%

Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Taunton (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 Taunton. Baseline $65,767 in 2025, projected to $81,710 by 2027.$62.6K$68.2K$73.7K$79.3K$84.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$65.8K$67.3K$66.0K$68.7K$71.6K$77.0K$77.3K$79.5K$81.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$65,767Actual
2020$67,296Actual
2021$66,002Actual
2022$68,697Actual
2023$71,648Actual
2024$76,983Actual
2025$77,304Actual
2026(current)$79,476Estimated
2027$81,710Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Taunton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $65,767 (2019) to $77,304 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,710 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,943 (24.24%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Taunton 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)$59,404$69,403
3-5 years (Mid Career)$69,403$79,476
5+ years (Experienced)$79,476$88,257
10+ years (Top Earner)$88,257$99,868

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 Taunton

In this area, there are currently 13 occupational therapy assistants employed, creating a compact but potentially lucrative job market. However, the cost-of-living index in Taunton, set at 108.5, does suggest that take-home purchasing power may be tighter compared to national averages. The highest-paying employers in the region often include hospital inpatient rehab facilities and skilled nursing facilities, while school districts and outpatient clinics may offer more modest compensation, influenced by the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA-provided services. To maximize pay, COTAs should consider negotiating for weekend and PRN shifts, which often come with premium rates, or explore year-round contracts that might offset salary fluctuations tied to the school calendar. Understanding these dynamics will be essential for those asking, "how much do occupational therapy assistants make in Taunton?" as they navigate their career trajectories in this evolving field.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median occupational therapy assistant salary in Taunton is $79,476/year ($38.21/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.81% annual growth). Salaries range from $59,404 at entry level (10th percentile) to $99,868 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Taunton at 6.9% 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 Taunton, MA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?

Taunton occupational therapy assistant salaries are 6.9% above the national average and 1.5% below the Massachusetts state average. The metro area employs approximately 13 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 Taunton?

The median occupational therapy assistant salary in Taunton is $79,476, and the 90th percentile earns $99,868. 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 Taunton?

After adjusting for Taunton's cost-of-living index of 108.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $79,476 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $73,250 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Taunton 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 Taunton?

Occupational Therapy Assistants in Taunton earn a median hourly rate of $38.21, which translates to approximately $79,476/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $28.56 for entry-level positions to $48.01 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem occupational therapy assistants sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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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 $77,304 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Taunton 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 Taunton 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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