Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Westerly, RI: $69,763 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Westerly, RI earns a median $69,763/year (≈ $33.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Westerly's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $69,416 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistant salaries in Westerly, Rhode Island, reflect a competitive market for this in-demand profession. With a 2026 projected median annual salary of $69,763, local COTAs are earning close to 6.15% less than the national average. The salary range spans from $55,244 at the 10th percentile to $82,118 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse range of compensation based on factors such as experience, setting, and specific job responsibilities. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight both the opportunities and challenges faced by occupational therapy assistants in Westerly's job market, encouraging potential applicants to consider both current compensation levels and future earning potential, particularly through pathways like the COTA-to-MOT bridge.
About the Westerly Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,244 | $26.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,669 | $30.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,763 | $33.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,357 | $34.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,118 | $39.48 |
Median Salary Position
6.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Westerly
In Westerly, RI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,874 (2026 est.). At $69,763, the local median is 6.15% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Westerly: You'd be above the median
How Westerly Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Westerly median: $69,763/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Westerly Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $74,692 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -6.15% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Westerly, RI earn a median of $69,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.15% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.60% below the Rhode Island state average of $74,692.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Westerly has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Westerly, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,763 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,416 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,729
2025 BLS Actual
$67,856
2026 Current Est.
$69,763
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Westerly (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,729 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,071 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,936 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,301 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,891 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,698 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,856 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,763 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,723 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Westerly metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $57,729 (2019) to $67,856 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,723 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,994 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Westerly 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) | $55,244 – $62,669 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,669 – $69,763 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,763 – $72,357 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,357 – $82,118 |
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 Westerly
In Westerly, just five occupational therapy assistants are currently employed, reflecting a relatively small but focused job market. The local cost-of-living index stands at 100.5, slightly above the national average, which can impact take-home pay and purchasing power. Among the various workplaces, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation often provide the highest salaries, while school districts may offer more stable contracts but typically lower pay. The salary spread in Westerly results from numerous factors, including productivity expectations, weekend or PRN differentials, and the ongoing impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA services, especially in skilled nursing and outpatient settings. To maximize pay in this market, occupational therapy assistants should seek opportunities in high-paying settings while considering additional certifications and keeping abreast of industry changes to ensure they are offering valuable services that align with employer expectations.
More salary data for Westerly, RI:
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 $67,856 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Westerly 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 Westerly 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