Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Medford, MA: $79,694 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Medford, MA earns a median $79,694/year (≈ $38.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Medford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $73,451 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Medford, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual salary of $79,694 in 2026, which is notably above the national median of $74,332. Local salaries range from $59,914 at the lower end (P10) to $100,587 at the higher end (P90). These figures, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local price variation, illustrate how the structure of healthcare facilities influences pay. With skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offering higher wages compared to schools, the ongoing impact of Medicare cuts on reimbursement rates has reshaped the salary dynamics for COTAs across different employment settings in Medford.
About the Medford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,914 | $28.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,853 | $33.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,694 | $38.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,729 | $41.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,587 | $48.36 |
Median Salary Position
7.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Medford
In Medford, MA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,673 (2026 est.). At $79,694, the local median is 7.21% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Medford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Medford Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Medford median: $79,694/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Medford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $80,662 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +7.21% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Medford, MA earn a median of $79,694 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.21% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.20% below the Massachusetts state average of $80,662.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Medford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Medford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,694 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,451 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,948
2025 BLS Actual
$77,516
2026 Current Est.
$79,694
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Medford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,948 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,481 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,183 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,885 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,844 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,193 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,516 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,694 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,934 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Medford metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $65,948 (2019) to $77,516 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,934 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,986 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford 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) | $59,914 – $69,853 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,853 – $79,694 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,694 – $85,729 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,729 – $100,587 |
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 Medford
With only 11 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in the area, the job market for this profession remains relatively niche. The cost of living index in Medford sits at 108.5, suggesting that higher salaries are essential for maintaining purchasing power in this local economy. Historically, acute care settings like hospitals tend to pay the most, followed by outpatient clinics, while school-based therapists often earn less due to the structure of their contracts. Factors such as a reduced Medicare reimbursement rate—now 15% lower since 2022—have directly influenced pay expectations, particularly in skilled nursing and outpatient environments. For those navigating the Medford market, pursuing positions in hospital rehabilitation or outpatient services, especially with skills in productivity and flexibility, may yield the highest returns. Additionally, COTAs considering further education via a COTA-to-MOT bridge might unlock even broader career potential and salary prospects moving forward.
More salary data for Medford, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Medford?
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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 $77,516 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Medford 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 Medford 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