Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Rhode Island: $69,872 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Rhode Island's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $69,872/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because Rhode Island sits at BEA RPP 100.5 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $69,524 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Pawtucket ($72,582), East Providence ($72,023), West Warwick ($71,832).
The projected average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in Rhode Island in 2026 is $69,873, which is about 6.0% lower than the national median of $74,332. The highest paying city, Pawtucket, offers a salary of $74,622, while the lowest paying city is Central Falls at $68,926, resulting in a difference of $5,696. This salary disparity can largely be attributed to local demand for services, cost of living variations, and the availability of healthcare facilities in different areas. Rhode Island's unique factors include specific state licensing requirements that occupational therapy assistants must meet, as well as defined scope of practice laws that can impact job roles and responsibilities. The demand for occupational therapy assistants is driven by an aging population and increasing awareness of rehabilitation services, contributing to a projected annual compound growth rate of 2.81% in this field. With 569 occupational therapy assistants employed statewide, cities like East Providence ($74,047), West Warwick ($73,850), Coventry ($73,502), and Cranston ($73,071) showcase varied salary levels driven by local healthcare markets. Rhode Island presents a stable job market for occupational therapy assistants, with steady demand expected to continue in the coming years.
Rhode Island Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Rhode Island: $49,711 (lowest entry-level) to $96,000 (highest top earner)
Rhode Island vs National Average
Rhode Island occupational therapy assistants earn 6% less than the national median ($-4,460/year difference).
Rhode Island Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Rhode Island range from $53,829 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $80,928 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $69,872. The Rhode Island median is $4,460 below the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $33.60/hr. Approximately 569 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,140
2025 BLS Actual
$67,963
2026 Current Est.
$69,872
2019–2027 Growth
+19.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rhode Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,296 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,963 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,872 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,836 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 13.0% from $60,140 (2019) to $67,963 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,836 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,696 (19.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
Lowest Paying Cities in Rhode Island
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Central Falls | $68,926 |
| Providence | $69,191 |
| Westerly | $69,763 |
| Warwick | $70,594 |
| Bristol | $70,718 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rhode Island
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Rhode Island cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawtucket | $74,622 | 100.5 | $74,251 |
| East Providence | $74,047 | 100.5 | $73,679 |
| West Warwick | $73,850 | 100.5 | $73,483 |
| Coventry | $73,502 | 100.5 | $73,136 |
| Cranston | $73,071 | 100.5 | $72,707 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $53,829 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $69,872 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $80,928 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Rhode Island metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in Rhode Island
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pawtucket | $74,622 |
| 2 | East Providence | $74,047 |
| 3 | West Warwick | $73,850 |
| 4 | Coventry | $73,502 |
| 5 | Cranston | $73,071 |
| 6 | Johnston | $72,238 |
| 7 | Woonsocket | $72,210 |
| 8 | Newport | $71,815 |
| 9 | North Providence | $71,671 |
| 10 | North Kingstown | $71,647 |
| 11 | Cumberland | $71,096 |
| 12 | South Kingstown | $70,911 |
| 13 | Bristol | $70,718 |
| 14 | Warwick | $70,594 |
| 15 | Westerly | $69,763 |
| 16 | Providence | $69,191 |
| 17 | Central Falls | $68,926 |
More Rhode Island Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Rhode Island cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new occupational therapy assistants.
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 Rhode Island in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Rhode Island?
How does Rhode Island occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Rhode Island?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Rhode Island?
Which Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 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, 7-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