Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Wellesley, MA: $76,619 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Wellesley, MA earns a median $76,619/year (≈ $36.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Wellesley's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $70,617 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, individuals in the role of occupational therapy assistant in Wellesley, MA, can expect a median annual salary of $76,619, slightly above the national median of $74,332 for similar positions. Salaries in the area can vary widely, with a range from $57,098 at the 10th percentile to $93,734 at the 90th percentile, reflecting differences in experience, setting, and productivity expectations. These salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living factors, indicate that effective compensation for occupational therapy assistants is influenced by the number of patient visits and the complexity of care provided. Wellesley’s competitive pay structure and the demand for skilled professionals make it a noteworthy locale for COTAs looking to establish a fulfilling career.
About the Wellesley Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,098 | $27.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,441 | $31.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,619 | $36.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,067 | $40.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,734 | $45.06 |
Median Salary Position
3.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wellesley
In Wellesley, MA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,636 (2026 est.). At $76,619, the local median is 3.08% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Wellesley: You'd be above the median
How Wellesley Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Wellesley median: $76,619/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wellesley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $80,652 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +3.08% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wellesley, MA earn a median of $76,619 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.08% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 5.00% below the Massachusetts state average of $80,652.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wellesley has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wellesley, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,619 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,617 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,403
2025 BLS Actual
$74,525
2026 Current Est.
$76,619
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wellesley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,403 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,877 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,227 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,072 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,215 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,525 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,619 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,772 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wellesley metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $63,403 (2019) to $74,525 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,772 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,369 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wellesley 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) | $57,098 – $66,441 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,441 – $76,619 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,619 – $84,067 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,067 – $93,734 |
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 Wellesley
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Wellesley comprises a small but focused group, with only six professionals currently employed in the field. The local cost of living index stands at 108.5, indicating that expenses are higher than the national average, which can impact the take-home purchasing power of COTAs in Wellesley. Employers offering the most competitive salaries include skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers, especially given recent challenges posed by the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting OTA services. Factors such as patient productivity expectations, weekend and PRN premiums, and the stability of school-year versus year-round contracts contribute to the varied pay scales. To maximize compensation, occupational therapy assistants should consider opportunities in settings with higher reimbursement rates or specialized programs and explore continuing education pathways like the COTA-to-MOT bridge to enhance their qualifications and earnings potential.
More salary data for Wellesley, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Wellesley, MA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Wellesley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Wellesley?
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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 $74,525 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Wellesley 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 Wellesley 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