OT Assistant Salary

North Kingstown vs Pawtucket: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between North Kingstown, RI and Pawtucket, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Kingstown, RI
$71,647
$34.44/hr
Pawtucket, RI
$74,622
$35.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Kingstown, RIPawtucket, RI
Median Salary$71,647$74,622
Hourly Rate$34.44$35.88
Entry Level (P10)$54,424$51,506
25th Percentile$62,946$61,904
75th Percentile$77,805$81,190
Top Earner (P90)$86,417$96,000
Total Employed416
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Kingstown ($71,647) and Pawtucket ($74,622) occupational therapy assistant salaries.North KingstownPawtucketMedian Salary$71,647$74,622Entry Level (P10)$54,424$51,506Top Earner (P90)$86,417$96,000US Median $74,332

Verdict

Pawtucket, RI offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to North Kingstown.

The salary gap between North Kingstown and Pawtucket is $2,975 (4.15%). Pawtucket's median is +0.39% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Kingstown spans $31,993,Pawtucket spans $44,494. Pawtucket has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

North Kingstown
P10 (Entry)$54,424
P25$62,946
Median$71,647
P75$77,805
P90 (Top)$86,417
Pawtucket
P10 (Entry)$51,506
P25$61,904
Median$74,622
P75$81,190
P90 (Top)$96,000

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pawtucket ($74,251 effective) pays 4.15% more than North Kingstown ($71,291 effective).

North Kingstown
Nominal: $71,647
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $71,291
Pawtucket
Nominal: $74,622
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $74,251

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Kingstown if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Pawtucket if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,622/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,000)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,251)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in North Kingstown grew 3.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 3.3% growth in Pawtucket over the same period.

North Kingstown, RI

+3.3%

$67,472 (2024) → $69,689 (2025)

Pawtucket, RI

+3.3%

$70,273 (2024) → $72,582 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: North Kingstown or Pawtucket?

Pawtucket has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $74,622/year, compared to North Kingstown at $71,647/year — a difference of $2,975 (4.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Kingstown and Pawtucket?

North Kingstown occupational therapy assistants earn $34.44/hr while Pawtucket hygienists earn $35.88/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Kingstown to Pawtucket as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Kingstown and Pawtucket. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Kingstown = $71,291, Pawtucket = $74,251), job availability (4 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in North Kingstown vs Pawtucket?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $54,424 in North Kingstown and $51,506 in Pawtucket. The North Kingstown area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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