Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Salem, NH: $77,832 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Salem, NH earns a median $77,832/year (≈ $37.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Salem's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $72,537 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Salem, NH, can expect a median annual salary of $77,832 in 2026, reflecting a competitive pay scale compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary range for these positions spans from $54,921 at the 10th percentile to $91,691 at the 90th percentile, indicative of varying employment settings and individual experience levels in this field. With the post-Medicare cut landscape affecting pay across skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient clinics, the compensation dynamics are influenced by the educational pathways available for occupational therapy assistants, including the potential to transition from a COTA to a MOT. In this evolving job market, those seeking to thrive must navigate the different contexts in which occupational therapy services are offered, particularly as settings like hospitals may still yield higher wages.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,921 | $26.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,293 | $31.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,832 | $37.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,190 | $39.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,691 | $44.08 |
Median Salary Position
4.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, NH, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,770 (2026 est.). At $77,832, the local median is 4.71% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be above the median
How Salem Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Salem median: $77,832/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $79,746 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +4.71% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Salem, NH earn a median of $77,832 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.71% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.40% below the New Hampshire state average of $79,746.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,832 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,537 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,407
2025 BLS Actual
$75,705
2026 Current Est.
$77,832
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,407 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,904 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,637 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,276 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,166 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,203 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,705 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,832 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,019 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $64,407 (2019) to $75,705 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,019 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,612 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $54,921 – $65,293 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,293 – $77,832 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,832 – $83,190 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,190 – $91,691 |
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 Salem
In Salem, the job market for occupational therapy assistants remains modest, with only eight professionals currently employed in the area. The local cost of living index stands at 107.3, suggesting that expenses are slightly higher than the national average, which can affect take-home pay and purchasing power. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the most competitive wages, especially when factoring in bonus opportunities for weekend or PRN shifts. The disparity in pay is often influenced by the setting—hospital roles generally command higher salaries compared to school districts or outpatient clinics. Given recent reductions in Medicare reimbursements, particularly impacting SNFs, COTAs should consider furthering their education or specializing to enhance their earning potential. Networking within the local healthcare community and exploring diverse settings can also provide strategic advantages in maximizing occupational therapy assistant pay in Salem, NH.
More salary data for Salem, NH:
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 $75,705 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Salem 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 Salem 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