Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in New Hampshire: $75,468 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Hampshire's 16 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $75,468/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because New Hampshire sits at BEA RPP 107.3 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,334 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Salem ($75,705), Merrimack ($75,609), Dover ($75,013).
In 2026, the average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in New Hampshire is projected to be $75,469, which is slightly above the national median of $74,332, reflecting a 1.5% increase. The highest paying city is Salem at $77,832, while Manchester offers the lowest salary at $70,456, resulting in a gap of $7,376. This disparity can be attributed to variations in cost of living, local demand for health services, and the availability of positions in more affluent communities. For those considering a career in this field, it's essential to be aware of New Hampshire's state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which govern the responsibilities of assistant roles. As of now, there are 105 occupational therapy assistants employed in the state, and the job market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.81%. High-demand cities include Merrimack at $77,734 and Dover at $77,121, driven by increasing health care needs and a focus on rehabilitation services. As the landscape of health care continues to evolve, occupational therapy assistants in New Hampshire are likely to see steady job opportunities in the coming years.
New Hampshire Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Hampshire: $48,756 (lowest entry-level) to $95,338 (highest top earner)
New Hampshire vs National Average
New Hampshire occupational therapy assistants earn 1.53% more than the national median (+$1,136/year difference).
New Hampshire Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in New Hampshire range from $55,324 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $89,988 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $75,468. The New Hampshire median is $1,136 above the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $36.28/hr. Approximately 105 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 16 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,451
2025 BLS Actual
$73,406
2026 Current Est.
$75,468
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in New Hampshire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,451 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,902 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,674 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,233 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,035 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,301 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,406 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,468 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,589 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Hampshire metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $62,451 (2019) to $73,406 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,589 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,138 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Hampshire 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Hampshire
Lowest Paying Cities in New Hampshire
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Manchester | $70,456 |
| Nashua | $70,954 |
| Bedford | $75,119 |
| Concord | $76,000 |
| Hudson | $76,186 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in New Hampshire
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Hampshire cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | $77,832 | 107.3 | $72,537 |
| Merrimack | $77,734 | 107.3 | $72,445 |
| Dover | $77,121 | 107.3 | $71,874 |
| Londonderry | $76,781 | 107.3 | $71,557 |
| Rochester | $76,774 | 107.3 | $71,551 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Hampshire
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $55,324 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $75,468 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $89,988 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Hampshire metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 16 Cities in New Hampshire
More New Hampshire Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in New Hampshire cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in New Hampshire in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in New Hampshire?
How does New Hampshire occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in New Hampshire?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in New Hampshire?
Which New Hampshire city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across New Hampshire. State averages are employment-weighted across 16 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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