Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Boston, MA: $77,416 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Boston, MA earns a median $77,416/year (≈ $37.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Boston's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.3), that paycheck buys what $71,505 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Boston is projected to reach a median of $77,416, surpassing the national median of $74,332 by approximately 4.15%. Salary ranges for local positions vary significantly, featuring a low of $43,304 at the 10th percentile to a high of $85,898 at the 90th percentile. These figures come from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, which illustrate the potential earning power for those in this field. For occupational therapy assistants in Boston, focusing on the COTA-to-MOT bridge can significantly enhance lifetime earnings, making it an essential pathway for career advancement within the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,304 | $20.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,529 | $30.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,416 | $37.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,608 | $39.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,898 | $41.30 |
Median Salary Position
4.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boston
In Boston, MA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,594 (2026 est.). At $77,416, the local median is 4.15% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Boston: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Boston Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Boston median: $77,416/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $80,642 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +4.15% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Boston, MA earn a median of $77,416 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.15% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 4.00% below the Massachusetts state average of $80,642.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boston has a cost of living 8.27% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boston, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.266 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,416 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,505 — a 7.64% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,390
2025 BLS Actual
$75,300
2026 Current Est.
$77,416
2019–2027 Growth
+23.6%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,416 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,591 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boston metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 16.9% from $64,390 (2019) to $75,300 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,591 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,201 (23.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston 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) | $43,304 – $62,529 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,529 – $77,416 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,416 – $82,608 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,608 – $85,898 |
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 Boston
Occupational therapy assistants in Boston face a competitive job market, with around 850 individuals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index for Boston stands at 108.266, indicating that while salaries are comparatively higher than the national average, high living costs can impact overall purchasing power. Employers in settings such as skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation typically offer the highest compensation. Factors influencing the pay scale include the setting of employment, varying expectations for productivity, and differences in contract types, particularly with schools versus year-round positions. Furthermore, the recent 15% cut to Medicare reimbursements for OTA-provided services continues to affect pay dynamics, particularly in skilled nursing and outpatient environments. To maximize earnings in Boston, individuals should strategically consider working in high-demand settings, seek continuing education opportunities, and remain informed on reimbursement changes that could influence their paths forward.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
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 $75,300 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Boston 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
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